Drum to Disc conversion?
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 59
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Drum to Disc conversion?
I have a "97 F-250 7.3L. I tow a 20 ft. boat weighs around 4000 lbs. I removed the surge drum brakes from the trailer cuz the saltwater ate em up. In MA law states that trailer brakes are required on trailers weighing 10,000 lbs. or more.
Has any one done the conversion to disk brakes on the rear. Is it worth the expense? Does it give the truck better stopping power over the factory installed drum brakes?
Has any one done the conversion to disk brakes on the rear. Is it worth the expense? Does it give the truck better stopping power over the factory installed drum brakes?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,785
Likes: 1,751
From: Kentucky
This question gets asked here all the time. As others have indicated a properly adjusted and working set of rear drum brakes work just as well as a disc brake setup.
If you feel the need to empty your wallet take a look at this for reference:
10.25" Ford Rear Disc Brake Conversion
https://www.4wdfactory.com/store/pro...Conversion-Kit
Disc Brake Adapters - RuffStuff Specialties
If you feel the need to empty your wallet take a look at this for reference:
10.25" Ford Rear Disc Brake Conversion
https://www.4wdfactory.com/store/pro...Conversion-Kit
Disc Brake Adapters - RuffStuff Specialties
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 4
From: 8600 ft in Colo
There are a lot of threads of rear disc conversions. Rear drums in working order & adjusted properly work quite well. Discs cool better and don't fade as easily, but unless you're hauling heavy & driving mountain passes a lot, it probably wouldn't be worth the trouble & expense.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,347
Likes: 802
From: Mi'kma'ki
wow that's really high weight before trailer brakes are required in Mass! yikes.here in Maine,it's just over 3k lbs.
Tom,forget that idea.if you want to truly increase your trucks stopping power.this is how it's done right here:
Hydroboost Brakes
(i recommend repairing the trailer brakes too though,if you can afford it.)
Tom,forget that idea.if you want to truly increase your trucks stopping power.this is how it's done right here:
Hydroboost Brakes
(i recommend repairing the trailer brakes too though,if you can afford it.)
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
A quick Google search confirmed that in MA the limit is 10K, but also that trailers that heavy need air or electric brakes. In MN (as in most states) brakes are required above 3K. MN also requires breakaway brakes on trailers over 6K. So even though MA is pretty lenient, if you tow out-of-state it might make things easier if you fix the trailer brakes.
I haven't done much trailer brake maintenance, but I'd guess that electric brakes would be simpler to service than surge brakes. They definitely work better (assuming you have a good brake controller).
I haven't done much trailer brake maintenance, but I'd guess that electric brakes would be simpler to service than surge brakes. They definitely work better (assuming you have a good brake controller).
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