Suzie Q,
What do you hope to achieve by converting to disc brakes? Are you having specific problems with your braking system that you attribute to the fact that they are drum brakes?
I ask because many people are under the misconception that disc brakes "stop faster". This is not true. Disc brakes often increase stopping distance compared to a properly operating drum brake system. That's why tractor trailers and concrete mixers, etc all use drum brakes.
Discs don't overheat and fail as rapidly under high speed panic stops or multiple hard brake applications as you might encounter in motor sports. Does this reflect your driving style in an AD truck? Do you ride the brakes down Pike's Peak regularly?
Disc brakes are easier to work on when replacing pads as opposed to shoes. If you aren't doing the brake maintenance yourself, then it doesn't matter.
A more important upgrade to an AD truck's brake system would be the installation of a dual reservoir master cylinder simply for safety's sake and peace of mind. Nearly all my vehicles have single reservoir systems and I've never had a problem with any of them.
If you're like most people who own and drive antique cars, you are probably intimately familiar with your vehicle's mechanical components and their condition because you're opening the hood all the time and checking things out before driving the vehicle. This attention goes a long way toward avoiding the problem associated with a single reservoir brake system.
Just so you know, I have a 1950 3100 with the stock single reservoir, 4 drum setup. I use the truck regularly and have driven it over 2000 miles in the last 6 months. This is driving on country roads, interstate highways , and everything in between. Average speed on the highway is about 55. Average speed on secondary roads is about 40.
Not once did I ever worry that the stock brake system wasn't up to the job. All I ever drive are antique cars and I don't pussyfoot around in them but I don't "over-drive" them either. I know their capabilities and limitations. I never expect a 70 year old truck to behave in the manner of a 2023 truck (as many people sometimes do with fully restored old cars). I am fully aware that it's 70 year old technology and treat it as such.
Last edited by Otto Skorzeny; 02/14/2023 7:28 PM.
