Hope someone can help with a question. I am rebuilding my front breaks on my 1966 F250 2wd
When I disassembled my brakes there were no self adjusting parts such as the cable.
I have 12-1/8 x 2 brakes and the question is did some of the trucks come with self adjusting brakes and did some come without self adjusting brakes?

I have all my parts but i had to get a 67 self adjusting kit. Can I install the self adjusting kit on a truck that did not have the self adjusting feature?

Thanks

J.L.

 

JL I too have the same front brake set-up on an F250.
Section 21 page 3 of the Master Parts Cataloque shows the set-up you describe, although in mine the cylinder is a double acting type.
As the cataloque is an official document from FoMoCo, I assume the set-up we have should work as is with new parts and proper adjustment. Jeff

 

I'd say that your truck was originally equipped with the self-adjusters, but someone or somewhere along it's 45+ year life, they've been lost, broken or simply left out.

BarnieTrk

 

Self adjusters introduced in 1967 F250's with 12 1/8" x 2" brakes / Introduced in 1966 F250's with 12" x 2 1/2" brakes / F100 self adjusters introduced 1964.

All 1953/65 F250's have 12 1/8" x 2" front/rear drum brakes, as do some 1966/72 F250's.

12" x 2 1/2" front/rear drum brakes introduced in 1966 F250's. Standard equipment on Camper Specials and F250's w/a 7,500 lb. GVWR

Parts catalog pic of 1964/66 F250's with 12 1/8" x 2" front/rear drum brakes. See any self adjuster parts?

 

No.....
I guess I jumped the gun without doing my research first - again.

So, the key was the 2 1/8" wide shoes on a '66 F250. If the OP's 1966, 2WD, F250 had been originally equipped with the CS package or 7,500 lb GVWR suspension, then it would have been OE with 2 1/2" wide shoes and the self adjusters, correct?

Now, looking back - if the OP had needed to purchase brake drums, am I correct in saying he could have ordered the 2 1/2" drums, shoes and the associated self adjusters and installed them on his '66 2WD F250 without any other issues?

If so, then he would have gained additional braking surface - equaling less brake fade when under load.

BarnieTrk

 

NoDo a comparo - 1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog:

Text Section 20.1 - Pages 9 & 10 ~ Parts list #3 ~ 12" x 2 1/2" front brakes.

Text Section 20.1 - Pages 10, 11 & 12 ~ Parts list #4 ~ 12 1/8" x 2" front brakes.

Notice the self adjuster parts (2A176/2A177/2A178/2A179) listed for 1967/ F250's in parts list #4.

 

I want to thank everyone for there input. I reassembled the brakes without the self adjusters. The self adjusters would have worked but my backing plates are the same and i need a left and right. My cylinder is double acting as well. The brakes work good.

I question....how often should I check and adjust my brakes?

J.L.

 

k8keeper,
What do you mean by, 'My cylinder is double acting..."?

I would say that the brake shoe adjustment frequency is going to be dependent on how much/often you brake and the duration of braking....which is likely linked to your driving speed / habits, what types/sizes of haulage you do with your truck, and what type of terrain (flat, hilly, mountainous) you travel.
I live & drive in a fairly flat portion of MI. Barring any pulling or noise issues, every Spring I will typically jack up each corner of my truck and hand-spin each wheel to check for any brake drag sounds. If there is NO sound, I will adjust the shoes out a tad until I get a slight drag sound.

Your needs may vary.........
BarnieTrk