I agree with Jim I have hydroboost as well and the tank stops like a corvette lol

 

Hummm, I have considered hydroboost in the past but haven't thought about it for awhile. I bet it would be cheaper, are parts readily available?

Jim, I did the disk brake conversion on my 96 and was never unhappy with it. I can't honestly say it was a real plus or minus.

 

I think if I am ever going to mess with the axles in any way that I am going to get 06+ axles and swap em over.

Better ride, better handling, 3.73 gearing, disk brakes.

Its just a LOT of work.. and getting a pair of them isnt cheap.

I think it was on the nation that a guy had a thread with LOTS of picherrrssss of his 06 axle swap to OBS. The reason he did it was cuz he stumbled on a rolled 2006 with a good powertrain.
Sold the powertrain, scrapped the rest and his axles were basically free!

 

Maybe this is a dumb question, but of you didn't really notice a big difference, why bother? Based upon the hydroboost equipped trucks I have driven, I think you would be really happy with that setup for towing as much weight as you do.

 

drw vehicles used the dana 80, not the sterling axle

richard

 

I hear ya Alex but don't want to do all that right now. It does sound good though!

The only reason I was thinking about it Nate is that they have a dual caliper setup now (TSM). I would think that would make a difference! They are expensive though, not sure about the expense of hydroboost, I haven't looked at that in awhile.

 

Glen, I have looked into this. Bet thing is to just swap to a drw Sd ale and re drill the hubs. The hydro Boost is an easy swap. Bolts right in. I'd find a use one from car-parts as there not cheap remaned and don't come with the rod between the booster and master.

I'm starting with hydro boos,t then a sd axle on my truck. I got a set of 05 axles just debating on if I want to deal with the work of doing it.

Jim I have pulled with my Obs and my dad 00 Sd. I'd love to have his breaking power in my truck.

 

It's '05 and up.
And I have a pair here for my '96, just need to time to get it done.
Years ago they were hard to find and expensive.
Today they have been out for 8 plus years now and they are everywhere and very affordable.

 

+1 I have had my set and the complete frame from an 09... some day I might actually install them.

Richard

 

Ah thanks for the correction! Are the 2012/2013 models all still using the same setup? That's what I assume when everyone says 05+ but just want to double check.

Goodddd to know!

 

I think so.... the big benifit witht he 05+ are the larger brakes. To accommodate those brakes you need 17" rims minimum. This is my problem... When I bought my truck I got new tires for it. they are barely worn so unless someone makes a really good offer on them I am going to have to wait a few years for them to wear out.

Richard

EDT: either that or if I find a set really cheap wheels and tires that are like new.

 

I'm really pretty happy with my drums. I do have a sticky left front caliper so I should change them both, but otherwise everything at the 4 wheels is pretty new. I don't have any problems stopping.

I drive a lot less miles than you Glenn, and also not in traffic much at all. So maybe my comparison isn't real good, but I'm just saying.

Do you remember/can you compare the two trucks stopping? Means the Mule has discs, do you think it stopped much better than what you have now? Didn't you rebuild your drum setup last winter?

 

Not OBSs. They use Sterling 10.25s. The F-superduty uses a Dana 80 though

 

I stand corrected.... 99+ diesels and V10's that were DRW used the Dana 80.

Richard

EDT: turns out that if you managed to get a 99+ F350 dually with the 5.4L engine you got the sterling axle... but who would order a dually with the smallest engine.

 

Damn your good Darin!! I was wondering if anybody was going to catch me on that. OK, here is my screw up. Just out of Vegas, almost home, we stopped in the desert to take a break. I was on a hill so I set the emergency brake. We took off and twenty miles later at the next town my brakes felt real funny. Then I realize I had left the brake on. The back rear passenger side was OK but the drivers side was toast. When I did the brakes last winter same thing, passenger side was like new, drivers side bad. I put new shoes, cylinders and springs on but I guess I didn't get them adjusted right. I actually saved the good side from last year and put them on the 'toasted' side. I think I got them all adjusted right this time.

I never have liked drums and can't say which one stops better. TSM in a email said not to use the dual calipers on the rear unless I have a lot of weight in the rear or they will tend to lock up?? I think I have decided to go hydroboost.

I was thinking about a new thread. The brake light doesn't work. The wire is connected at the emergency break. The vaccume pump is new, fluid is topped off. When you turn the key on in test mode the light doesn't show up. I looked in the book and couldn't identify a fuse for that light so I pulled all the fuses and they are all good. Must be a burned out bulb, IDK.