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disc vs drum Sterling?

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Old May 25, 2011 | 03:26 PM
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disc vs drum Sterling?

I'm building a 1931 Ford AA with a 300 I6 ZFS542 and was planning on putting a 10.5 full floating sterling in the rear. Been looking for a rearend with some difficulty. Only found a couple, but they are way out of my price range at about $1600.

I found three 10.25s in the junk yard the other day that I can remove and buy for around $200.

Whats the cost to benefit ratio?
Will Disc brakes really help that much? I can't seem to justify it except for coolness I guess. On the other hand drums will look more stock.

Opinions? Advice? general comments?
Any leads on a cheaper 10.5 in driving distance from New Orleans LA?

thanks
Scott
 
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Old May 25, 2011 | 04:49 PM
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answer

Disc. I would not consider drum.
 
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Old May 25, 2011 | 05:05 PM
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If you're planning to use as a "toy", drums are more than adequate.

If you plan to use as a truck and haul heavy loads in mountainous terrain, discs are worth the extra effort as they cool better and do not fade nearly as much in extended hard use.
 
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Old May 25, 2011 | 06:20 PM
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Discs, even if you will only drive recreationally.
 
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Old May 25, 2011 | 07:20 PM
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Since you are getting your rear end out of a salvage yard, why bother converting to a drum? use the entirely adequate disc brakes on the axle with the drum parking brake. That way, when it comes time for rear brakes all you need to do is get parts for whichever year Super Duty the axle came from.

Common ratios you'll find are 3.73, 4.10 and maybe some 3.55s. 4.30s and up are uncommon from the factory.
 
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Old May 25, 2011 | 08:25 PM
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Drum brakes are just fine for that application, no need for the disc.
 
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Old May 25, 2011 | 08:53 PM
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I don't really want to convert. The 10.25 have drums and they are cheap. The 10.5s have disc and are expensive. I think I'd like to use it to haul a trailer for future car projects but I definitely won't be in any mountains
 
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Old May 25, 2011 | 09:41 PM
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I have the Sterling 10.25 rear in my truck and do lots of pulling, it stops fine. Now if I was pulling 15-20k, yeah disc would be nice, but still not a must.
 
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Old May 26, 2011 | 06:30 AM
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What truck comes with a 10.25 Sterling/Visteon rear differential and drum brakes?

Are you sure you are not looking at the parking brake shoes?
 
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Old May 26, 2011 | 11:14 AM
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All pre 1999 models (99 up were 10.5) have drum brakes..... (In Ford trucks anyway, I don't know about other applications.
 
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Old May 26, 2011 | 11:22 AM
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You shouldn't be towing that much with out trailer brakes. 10.25's came in f150s. 10.5 came in the superduty trucks. Either will work. places to look for the axle you want. Diesel forums in the parts sections. Craigslist and weekly want/buy circulars. I have seen them local to me for 400-800 bucks commonly on craigslist.
 
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Old May 26, 2011 | 02:42 PM
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Houston isn't too far from you. At least not $1000 worth of fuel.

2000 ford f250 rear axle assembly

Edit:

http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/2399921271.html

http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/2381253856.html
 
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Old May 26, 2011 | 03:44 PM
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Try using car - part . Com with out the spaces.
 
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Old May 28, 2011 | 05:30 PM
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I think I may have found one for about $500 at a yard, can anyone measure there 2002-2004 rear axle WMS to WMS for me.

thanks
Scott
 
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