71 F350 wrecker

[robbalex1963]

just purchased today. 71 F350 wrecker, 360 4speed, long wheelbase. runs and drives pretty good for an old bump. needs a right fender (i have), Looks pretty solid so far. we shall see... Going to have to dump the front drum brakes. "if i keep it".

[garner67]

Nice purchase. Welcome to FORDIficaiton!

[robroy]

Good day RobbAlex1963!

That's a beautiful F350!

Regarding its front drums, what were your top reasons for thinking of swapping them with discs (if I properly understood your comment)? If I remember correctly, I believe F350s had enormous 12"x3" drums up front. Given the size of those drums, I'm not sure whether or not Bumpside-era discs would provide greater stopping power, if that's your concern.

Should you hold on to it, what are your long-term plans for this outstanding truck?

Robroy

[basketcase0302]

Cool old DRW F-350, welcome to the gang!
Better get you a big breaker bar for the lugs, (and remember the DS is probably left hand threads like mine).

[67 ford f100s rule]

welcome to fordifcation. I wish i had me one!!! But do your bump a favor and take that ac delco decal off it!!!!

[TheEskimo]

Oh man I would love one of those, that is a great looking truck.

[1971ford]

Good day RobbAlex1963!

That's a beautiful F350!

Regarding its front drums, what were your top reasons for thinking of swapping them with discs (if I properly understood your comment)? If I remember correctly, I believe F350s had enormous 12"x3" drums up front. Given the size of those drums, I'm not sure whether or not Bumpside-era discs would provide greater stopping power, if that's your concern.

Should you hold on to it, what are your long-term plans for this outstanding truck?

Robroy

Robroy,
From the few drum to disc swap thread's I have seen in the past, most people say that discs are quite a difference, but mostly felt when towing. The reason for the swap were better stopping power with a load, and easier to maintain.
Another reason, but only for people like me really, is for when you want to drive through a puddle bigger than your truck you still have some breaking power after exiting the puddle

[trukcrazy]

Welcoma and excellent score. That would be fun to have.

[robbalex1963]

Thanks for the comments guys... I must correct myself. Upon closer inspection here is what i found.

1971 model year - built in April
360 CID 2BBL
159 inch wheelbase
M color - wimbleton white
F351 body code - F350
8 body style - Chassis Cab
A code trans - 4 speed new process 435
38 code axle - 3.73 Dana 60
MAX. G.V.W. - 10000
170 HP 4100 RPM
DSO 23 ?



The Wrecker is a 440 Holmes single cable pto powered winch.

[robroy]

Good day Ryan!

Regarding its front drums, what were your top reasons for thinking of swapping them with discs (if I properly understood your comment)?

From the few drum to disc swap thread's I have seen in the past, most people say that discs are quite a difference, but mostly felt when towing. The reason for the swap were better stopping power with a load, and easier to maintain.
Another reason, but only for people like me really, is for when you want to drive through a puddle bigger than your truck you still have some breaking power after exiting the puddle

Got it! Thanks for explaining that Ryan. I'd heard of the water-in-the-brakes benefit but I wasn't sure which provided more stopping power generally: the 12"x3" drums or the discs.

Thanks again Ryan,
Robroy

[ezernut9mm]

it'll be twice the truck once you get that "acdelco" sticker off the side.
seriously, nice truck. i could fill my yard up with something like that!

[67 ford f100s rule]

Good day Ryan!

Regarding its front drums, what were your top reasons for thinking of swapping them with discs (if I properly understood your comment)?

From the few drum to disc swap thread's I have seen in the past, most people say that discs are quite a difference, but mostly felt when towing. The reason for the swap were better stopping power with a load, and easier to maintain.
Another reason, but only for people like me really, is for when you want to drive through a puddle bigger than your truck you still have some breaking power after exiting the puddle

Got it! Thanks for explaining that Ryan. I'd heard of the water-in-the-brakes benefit but I wasn't sure which provided more stopping power generally: the 12"x3" drums or the discs.

Thanks again Ryan,
Robroy

Those are good reasons for a conversion but By doing a drum to disc conversion you would be getting rid of pesky brake fade. Anyone who has driven a vehicle with all 4 drum brakes a long way requiring stop and go has experienced it. The heat built up on the drum lowers the friction produced between the brake shoe and drum therefore making it require more pushing on the brake to stop.

[FLATBEDFORD]

I am a little late to the party here, but that is a pretty cool old F350. Always nice to see another one of the big ones here.
You can easily swap in the front disc brakes from a '73-'79 F350 DRW truck. I have all the parts and have experimented on a junker F350 front end. Check this thread for some pictures and discussion. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... e&start=15 .
I will say that, aside from water crossing issues, when properly adjusted the big four wheel drums stop my f350 pretty well even with a few thousand pounds on the bed. One thing these big old trucks have going for them is that they aren't really powerful enough, nor do they handle well enough to go very fast when heavily loaded anyway so the limited braking power isn't as much an issue as it might be on a newer, faster truck.