Slick 60's

Shortly after buying my '69 Cobra, I realized that the "lighter and less-drag-inducing" drum brakes were not up the challenge of a SCJ. I also experienced that "pucker factor", especially on Houston's ditch/street combinations. Expensive sintered metallic linings helped a little- then I could buy replacement drums as well as linings on a regular basis
40 years later, I want to make darn sure it stops before I make it GO. 2- wheel disc is good, BIG 4-wheel disc is BETTER
Today's big wheel/big tire combinations demand disc brakes; I see very few slicks with 6.00-16 tires, so why waste the modern traction abilities with mediocre stopping ability? Admittedly, most adults don't drive like I do, but as we all know, ---- happens.
Paul

ICEMAN6166 wrote: ....all slicks brakes do not have self adjusters from the factory.

I believe 1964 was the first year the self adjusters were installed on the F100s and the first year for the F250s was 1966. The F100 and F250 self adjuster parts are NOT interchangeable. The parts are the same right/left/front/rear except for the self adjuster levers - they are right/left specific.

BarnieTrk

both 66 4x4s, my f250 and my wifes f100 that we sold had the manual adjusters.

Both of my slicks have manual adjusters as well.
However, I believe they were ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED with self-adjusters.
But we all know things do rust, corrode and/or fall off over the years...and they don't get replaced.

BarnieTrk

P.S.
Iceman, I miss your AK weather reporting....

Here are pics of the left and right side front drum brakes before I rebuilt them.

O Reillys sells the self adjuster kits for all four wheels for $8 each. Each wheel has its own p/n.

All the hardware is the same except the adjusters have left or right threads and the cable is a different length.

The photo above is the reason I despise drum brakes. Too damn many parts! Fighting with springs, adjusters that stick, not being able to see lining condition without removing the drum...all practical reasons that, even if they would perform exactly the same, I loathe working on the stupid things. Changing pads is SO much easier than screwing around with all those (usually rusty and ready to break) parts.

Someone suggested that the switch to calipers came because they were cheaper. Not true. If that were the case, everything would be sporting discs on all 4 wheels. Lower priced cars will always have drums on the back. Ford de-contented the Taurus back in the early 2000's. Most had 4 wheel disc, yet the last fleet Taurus I had was cheapened with drum brakes, unpainted mirrors, less chrome, etc. Drums are also easier to engineer parking brakes for.

If you are happy with your drums, that's fine. But I don't feel that driving in modern traffic on a regular basis with these outdated brakes is a recipe for safety. Because all the other vehicles on the road have advanced so much in braking and handling, people drive them faster and can get away with more. Our trucks are out there dodging all those people. I prefer to make it as equal of a fight as I can.

DV65CustomCab wrote: Changing pads is SO much easier than screwing around with all those (usually rusty and ready to break) parts.

If Slick owners were after the, "SO much easier" approach, I think we'd all be driving a much newer vehicle. One of the reasons why I prefer my Slick is because I CAN take time to 'bond' with the ol' workhorse by performing some tuneup, fluid change, linkage adjustment or other non-complicated, non-computer-required maintenance tasks.

For example, when my 'for work' truck ('05 Excursion, 6.0L PSD) requires attention (a CEL alarm) many tasks usually involve the FORD dealer and their crew of technicians with their bank of diagnostic instruments to diagnosis & perform the adjustment task. I don't get to participate, I only get to drop off & pick up the vehicle and pay the bill - not nearly as satisfying for me as when I get to wrench on my ol' Slick.


If you are happy with your drums, that's fine. But I don't feel that driving in modern traffic on a regular basis with these outdated brakes is a recipe for safety. Because all the other vehicles on the road have advanced so much in braking and handling, people drive them faster and can get away with more. Our trucks are out there dodging all those people. I prefer to make it as equal of a fight as I can.

I agree 100%. Your point cannot be stressed enough. "Everything has its place and there's a place for everything."

To try to navigate a 45+yr old vehicle in today's urban traffic hubs is not a totally safe/good idea. If someone wants the Slick look but wants to merge it into, out of and around todays' big city traffic, then they would be best served by simply (!) sliding the Slick body off and onto a 1990s+ chassis.

Yes, a person can start adding modern driving improvements to our Slicks, such as: disc brakes, sway bars, radial tires, gas shocks, OD transmissions, etc. and they'll get closer to the expected performance (expected by others on the road) and more likely keep you and your Slick out of harms way.

If folks want to keep the 45+yr old technology and expected performance rolling down the public roads, that's great. But KNOW that they'd best be served to keep it in the best of tune & adjustment, and logically pick the appropriate time of day (not rush hour), appropriate day of the week (preferably weekends) and appropriate weather conditions (warm, dry, daylight & clear skies) to tool down the street/highway safely, minimizing the risk to themselves, their Slick and to others.

Years ago, I drove my Slick in Houston, TX traffic....but it was usually on a Saturday morning, mostly side streets as I made my way to some swap meet/event. I did NOT take it out on the 610 Loop @ 7:30AM Friday morning in a heavy rain storm.

Live & let live - and let's stay & be SMART & SAFE out there!

BarnieTrk

I dislike the drums as well. In fact I think I damaged my right shoulder putting the damn springs on, I have been in pain for over a week. Im off to the Doc Monday morning if I am not better.

Someday Im going with 4 wheel discs. That means an 8.8 on the rear, but thats fine with me.

My plan is to keep this truck, so its all money well spent.

Drum brakes? To damn many moving parts for me.
But, I do have them on the rear for a reason.