Miscab thanks for your honest input..
I would guess that FORD purchases the rearends with the brakes already attached.. It would make sense to buy em thataway. Then you get to pricing. Maybe the manufactorer has the drums priced cheaper than the discs? Might be contractual, as if FORD made a purchase years ago to buy X number of such and such.. Big business works in mysterious ways...doesn't it?
My 99 has a new rear 8.8 with 10" drums and only 600 miles on the whole setup. I am totally pleased with it as far as stopping goes.
I think when worn the drums do lose a higher percentage of "feel" than the discs do.
Miscab I hope your setup serves you well in the future too.
Big Jim

 

i couldn't say one way or the other if disc is better than drum. i do know that i'm fed up with the way my rear drums act in weather where there's even the slightest amount of moisture. i almost slid into another car on the freeway because my rear drums simply locked up... so much for abs! the stupid things have been like that since new (95 super xlt, manual 3.0 2wd).

i'm wanting rear disc brakes even though i know the breaking power will not increase much, if at all. i do believe added weight on the rear will let their ability shine through. this seems to be the application for the original post. 1) he wants easier maintenance for himself (not that i find drums hard to deal with) and 2) more braking when towing.

 

Unladen I'm sure the rear drums are more than enough as the back end is so light, but have any of you disc brake convertees had a chance to compare the truck's hauling/towing stopping power before and after the swap? That, along with better off-road/wet performance, seems like it would see the most benefit from rear discs.

 

Yes I did...

Did I notice the difference Yes I did and so did my buddy behind me in his Ranger he almost didn't stop in time when I hit the brakes.

 

Ok answer this. When you did the rear disks upgrade did you do the front brakes at the same time? Were your brakes fairly worn when you did the deed?
I am asking because the stopping distance did not change... That means that in like condition they should respond zackly the same.
Big JIm