Search Was My Friend

qualicas · June 10, 2008

This is my first post to this forum. I am used to forums for my CTS-V so when I had a question, I joined and searched and found my answer! Just wanted to say thanks. Okay, now you are wondering what I was searching...

I have a 2001 Z71, with 120,000 miles. Only thing I have ever done was replace rear "parking" brake shoes and cables and a FWD selector switch. It still has original front brake pads! So I was thinking of perhaps getting a new truck before I start spending any money. Then I realized that new trucks have DRUM BRAKES! I figured there MUST be a thread on that and I found one. Last post was mid 2007. Don't know if I liked the answer ie GM figured drums better for trucks due to dirt etc. Front disks were supposedly made larger and now supposed to stop better than with 4 disks. Sure seems like economics to me.

I'm really stuck, I even like the looks of my truck better, unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. I had well over 200,000 miles on my 1988 3/4 ton and was planning to keep it longer. A Dodge minivan had other ideas though!

wlvrn1215 · June 10, 2008

you can get 4 wheel disc but I prefer rear drum..IMO

dietz4ibanez · June 10, 2008

Welcome to the site! Yeah I did a rebuild on my rear end installing a 14 bolt 3/4 ton rear end and installed a disc brake conversion kit... The rotors in the front of my truck are a little small to keep up with the braking abilties of the new trucks....

But the rear discs helped out a unbelievable amounts in braking capabilities for my truck.... Now I am not afraid to pull a heavy load with my tandem axle trailer that doesnt have trailer brakes....

I will tell you though that my landscaping trailer with trailer brakes makes towing a breeze!

BigJayDogg3 · June 10, 2008

You get a high five for searching.

tobias · June 10, 2008

You get a high five for searching.

Make that two of 'em!

carneyman · June 10, 2008

You get a high five for searching.

Make that two of 'em!

Now three!

HawkeyeOC · June 10, 2008

You get a high five for searching.

Make that two of 'em!

Now three!

I like this guy

A wealth of info can be found by using that search button, yet not enough people use it that should

BigJayDogg3 · June 10, 2008

Back on topic, what exactly is your question (if their was one)? If there wasn't a question, might I suggest this being put in the off-topic section. Not trying to rag on you or anything, just trying to inform you.

Can someone also make this mandatory reading for all newcomers? I know when I came I posted a few overdone topics because I just didn't know how a good forum worked. I was used to the crappy ones where it is one forum for all things. EX: My car needs new spark plugs. What tires should I get? Just lowered my truck last night. etc. It ran the whole gambit.

Since my experience here, I have had trouble finding other good forums to meet other needs.

svensk · June 10, 2008

I swear there was just a thread about drums that popped up a few days ago?

MS3DALE · June 10, 2008

you can get 4 wheel disc but I prefer rear drum..IMO

Yes,You can still get rear disc brakes...if you get the 6-liter and Stabilitrak.

I have rear discs on mine.

pennzoil29 · June 10, 2008

+1 for the search button, and a newbie introduction. Welcome to the forum.

asilverblazer · June 10, 2008

There are plent yof other upgrades to the trucks to make up for the ridiculous drums.

dlstewart01 · June 10, 2008

There are plent yof other upgrades to the trucks to make up for the ridiculous drums.

Rear drum brakes can lock up the wheels. What more can they do? If they couldn't GM would not go to the expense of having anti-lock brakes in the rear. Also with rear drums you get a working parking brake.

I love my rear drums. I tow a camper NOOOOOO problems.

Don

qualicas · June 11, 2008

I didn't really have a question after my search. I didn't want to add a posting to an old thread. I first did a search to find this forum. I spend time on cadillacforums so I thought there would be on for GM trucks. That took me 5 minutes. Then registering took another couple of minutes. Searching for the answer equally quick. My truck has been so trouble free for years that I never felt the need to ask any questions.

However, now that I've had a day to ponder all the answers, I do believe the reason for the switch back was strictly an economic one. If it wasn't, GM would have changed ALL the rears back to drums. Since they did it only on the light duty half tons it screams economy to me. Now putting larger front disks just confirms it, they needed them to do all the stopping. In spite of that, I'm sure 99% of the driving public has no idea how their vehicle stops much less disks or drums.

I'll probably just go a buy one and be happy with it anyway. Don't really want another 6 litre motor to get rear disks. My Caddy has the LS2 but I do get great mileage with it. If only my truck could do the same.