Drum for Disc???
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 376
Yeah, he's an entertaining read and often has good advice. I only protest the description of "coal car" for the benefit of the OP in this thread. If handling on his recent purchase is bad/scary at highway speeds then it needs fixed. These trucks handle like trucks. Ford still uses twin I beams/coils/shocks on 2wd fronts, rear suspension is still leaf/shocks, and todays trucks are still trucks so don't expect new trucks to be waterbeds either.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
A truck will steer, stop, and handle like a truck unless a significant amount of upgrades and changes (read $$$$) are done. There are marginal and reasonable improvements that can be made without going overboard like brakes, shocks, springs, swaybars, bushings, lower center of gravity.
If I wanted my truck to steer, handle, and stop like a Ferrari then I'd just get a Ferrari. Oh.... I did.
.
If I wanted my truck to steer, handle, and stop like a Ferrari then I'd just get a Ferrari. Oh.... I did.
.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
A truck will steer, stop, and handle like a truck unless a significant amount of upgrades and changes (read $$$$) are done. There are marginal and reasonable improvements that can be made without going overboard like brakes, shocks, springs, swaybars, bushings, lower center of gravity.
If I wanted my truck to steer, handle, and stop like a Ferrari then I'd just get a Ferrari. Oh.... I did.
.
If I wanted my truck to steer, handle, and stop like a Ferrari then I'd just get a Ferrari. Oh.... I did.
.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 376
Yep, bushings, springs all the way around and King pins are a good idea. I did them right after I did the brakes. Any modifications depend on the OP's intended use. After two pages of us yammering there's been no weigh in from the OP so it's been just us telling each other how we use our trucks differently. I like hearing and sharing how different guys (e.g. you guys) use their trucks which is why I joined FTE.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
Yep, bushings, springs all the way around and King pins are a good idea. I did them right after I did the brakes. Any modifications depend on the OP's intended use. After two pages of us yammering there's been no weigh in from the OP so it's been just us telling each other how we use our trucks differently. I like hearing and sharing how different guys (e.g. you guys) use their trucks which is why I joined FTE.
So ya don't High jack this guys thread.
Orich
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 376
It's not at all a thread high jack. It's totally relevant to wonder what the OP wants to do with his newly purchased truck to help decide what brakes to install. He hasn't been back since starting the thread so I was wrapping up by thanking everyone for their various opinions and experiences as well as their suggestions for going through the suspension as well. If you want to yelp "thread high jack" then go back to Tedster9 when he was talking about coal cars and air conditioning and what ever else.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 7
From: Gainesville, GA
Not much I can add to this thread but I did a complete brake job about 3 years ago on my '68 F250 with power 4 wheel drums, and i'm completely satisfied with the stopping.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
I denounce myself.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 376
I saw your post and did my own LOL. Cool beans. You ain't half bad Tedster9.
BTW, I'll risk the "High Jack police" again to say Thank you to Orich for your service. I checked out some of your links the other day...cool stuff.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 40
From: El Dorado, Arkansas
When these trucks were built, most all of them had 4-wheel drum brakes and many more of them were manual, than those that had power (drum) brakes. This is also in a time when most all Chevrolets and Dodges had 4-wheel drums too. Everyone was on the same level, stopping-wise.
Today, very few vehicles have rear drums but none of today's vehicles are running front drums. Even many cheap, crap-box, econo cars have power 4-wheel discs. The advantage modern/more modern vehicles have is they can stop quicker and in a shorter distance than you can.
Trying to pace yourself and keeping your distance between the vehicle in front of you only works so long as some idiot doesn't come flying around you and dart in between you and that vehicle you were trying to keep your distance from. I've had that happen numerous times.
Other than getting the spindles, I-beams and radius arms from a Dentside donor, its not much difference, price-wise, to completely refurbish 4-wheel drums vs installing discs.
This is from when I changed my truck over to front discs in October, 2014.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ont-drums.html
Today, very few vehicles have rear drums but none of today's vehicles are running front drums. Even many cheap, crap-box, econo cars have power 4-wheel discs. The advantage modern/more modern vehicles have is they can stop quicker and in a shorter distance than you can.
Trying to pace yourself and keeping your distance between the vehicle in front of you only works so long as some idiot doesn't come flying around you and dart in between you and that vehicle you were trying to keep your distance from. I've had that happen numerous times.
Other than getting the spindles, I-beams and radius arms from a Dentside donor, its not much difference, price-wise, to completely refurbish 4-wheel drums vs installing discs.
This is from when I changed my truck over to front discs in October, 2014.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ont-drums.html
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 376
As example of logic defied, many people tell me a mustang is no good in snow/ice. Many, many times I wrestled front wheel drive cars out of being stuck and simply got in my '87 mustang and drove away easily. It made front wheel drive cars look silly over and over. One time I used it to pack down snow by driving it back and forth to help a cavalier get out. Made zero sense and I couldn't' figure it out...and yet it happened...a lot.
Have fun with your truck...but be warned...these trucks will suck you in deep :-)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FMJ.
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Jan 22, 2019 02:11 PM
F-250 restorer
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
14
Oct 14, 2010 04:59 AM
matt1morton
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Jun 30, 2004 09:14 PM