1997 F250 Converting Rear Drums to Disc's
 

Has anyone converted their rear drums to disc's? I am trying to weigh out my options. I am now going to be towing a 3 horse gooseneck, 21' on the floor and approximately 10,000 lbs. I have done some of the power mods, Super Chip, Bully Dog Down Pipe, cat removed,Tymar intake to be installed soon.
My 97 has only 91,000 miles on it but I am hoping the 355 gearing will be OK.
I am willing to put some $ in the 97 before I look for another rig.
Thanks,

Lots of guys have, if you google 96F250rear disc brakes you will find a bunch of info. My 3.55's work fine with my trailer (16k loaded). I do have upgraded injectors, but I think you will be ok. I used to pull a 30 footer enclosed, truck was stock then and worked ok, but in a decent wind it struggled. About the same weight as yours, maybe a little more but it was an extra height box of a trailer (bumper pull).

Auto or manual transmission?

There are several write ups on this forum. One is here:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...onversion.html

IMNSHO I'd go for disk brakes on the trailer over doing the brake conversion on the truck. Rather than making the truck stop the trailer, make the trailer stop itself. Electric drum trailer brakes are worthless. Most don't have slack adjusters on them. You can get conversion kits for most axles, and a electro-hydraulic unit to apply them.

I'd also check out the condition of the slack adjusters on the truck brakes. They do wear out and that's why the drum brakes don't work well. For $15 per side you can replace all of the slack adjuster parts.

My rear disc brake conversion - PowerStrokeArmy helped us out when we did it to my uncles truck recently.

I used these years ago and they are still going stronge, TSM MFG. CO., INC..

I agree with you Joe, disk brakes on the trailer. I used to sit on the end of my seat with sweat rolling down my back. Last summer I put disk brakes on my 5th wheel in my signature and just joking around I say "now I feel like I can tailgate someone". They are better then great!!

Glenn, how hard was the conversion with the kit you used? Was it a direct bolt on? Did you get the e brake too. How much did you spend on it if you dont mind me asking?

The kit is a direct bolt on except for the brake lines. I had to bend them some to get them to connect to the new calipers. I got the e brake ones and they also work good. I did it probably six years ago and can't remember of much. It was something around six hundred guessing. I bet they are a lot more now. Customer service is very good. A couple of years ago I was wearing a grove in the rotor hub and he told me what to do about it.

Thanks for the info glenn. I think i need to start getting the drive train up to snuff befor i worry bout the performance parts for the engine. This seems like a really good upgrade. I need to work on my brakes any way and get a good e brake since i have a 5 speed.