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72 cj5 4wd problems

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by new2jeeps, Oct 14, 2013.

  1. Nov 3, 2013
    new2jeeps

    new2jeeps New Member

    Nashville, Tennessee
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2013
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    43

    I totally agree.
     
  2. Nov 4, 2013
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2011
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    2,115
    No i don't think, i'm coil spring, major difference in the trail but on road still stiff. The short wheel-base don't help so much...

    Here's only my opinion

    Drum brake: Road only, trail you'll lost them as soon as you cross water or mud.
    T14 good for road, off-road really poor ratio and weak transmission. Good for road use with oem tire.
    A locker in the axle rear axle is good, add one to the front will be great but doing with a lock-right of spartan the rear will be locked when you make turn on the road, This mod is for those wo do weekly trail.

    Also i know what i'm talking about, been 3 year i have my jeep, i've done everything i can do with a CJ5 to make it a trail capable without needing to make a buggy out of it.
    I've gone trought all the easy upgrade you can do on a cj5 and when i started i didn't know what was a dana 44. So don't be afraid the better way to learn is to take the tools out.
     
  3. Nov 4, 2013
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    Hesperia, CA.
    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
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    2,160
    I'm gonna take the other side and say drums are not an issue in water if you drill them. I haven't had in issues yet with drums after my water crossings and I don't have drilledd drums. If you're going to wheel a lot of mud, you'll really wanna go disk.
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2013
  4. Nov 4, 2013
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2011
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    2,115
    So they added disk and power brake in 76 for nothing?

    It may work for you, but you must be un a dry place to never cross any mud.....

    If you plan on 33's it would be a safe choice to go with disk.
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2013
  5. Nov 4, 2013
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    Hesperia, CA.
    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
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    2,160
    They added it, in my opinion because discs are superior in mud, people enjoy less effort on the brake pedal, or may need it due to medical issues, and because power brakes will most likely stop better. You could also argue the easier servicing on discs.
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2013
  6. Nov 4, 2013
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    Self-wiping is a big advantage re safety - wet drum brakes are much less effective until the drums dry out. Disks also have a longer service interval than drums. And they are easier to service, as mentioned.

    CJs had optional power brakes starting in 1972. And optional disk brakes started in 1977.
     
  7. Nov 4, 2013
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    Drum brakes can be made to work as effective as self-wiping discs, with regard to stopping power... cheaply.
    (Tim's other comments regarding servicing notwithstanding)

    Search this forum for "drilled drums".

    I did a D30 swap onto my '71. I used a '74 axle.
    The swap itself was not a hard job by any stretch (it is harder if you have to rebuild the entire axle like I did)
    I did have to add 5° shims to correct caster
    I got new 11" drums, and drilled them... (56) 1/8" holes in each. I used a benchtop 12" drill press. It's better if you know someone with a Bridgeport ;)
    The drilled 11" drums were (and are still) as effective as discs, both dry AND wet/muddy !!

    However, as Tim said drum brake servicing can be tricky, and drum shoes just do not tend to last as long as disc brake pads
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2013
  8. Nov 4, 2013
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,538
    The issue I had with wet drums was with stopping in a straight line. Drilled drums may rectify that, I don't know. I do know that it is not an issue with discs.
     
  9. Nov 4, 2013
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2011
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    X2

    The pro-drum maybe a try with disq brake will change you're mind.
     
  10. Nov 4, 2013
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    3,869
    i still run the drums on my 74 and the wifes 76. lynn,did you drill finned drums? it seems that is all i can source round here...
     
  11. Nov 4, 2013
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    Drums for a '72 are not finned. Just FYI. Check RockAuto.
     
  12. Nov 5, 2013
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    I ran a '74 axle; it had finned drums.
    I did not drill the finned drums (I think they are still out in the shed somewhere); I bought some new 11" drums for a Postal Jeep, and drilled those.

    [​IMG]

    IIRC, I bought them from a member on here who had bought a pallet of them... MichaelO.
    They were cheap... something like ~$12-15 each.
    I'm pretty sure you can still find new Postal Jeep 11" drums cheap... often cheaper than CJ drums.

    With the drilled drums, I never had a problem stopping in a straight line when drums were wet or wet/muddy.
    No hard pull to one side or the other, as with the older 10" when wet.
    The brakes worked perfectly, immediately after crossings and at all times after.
    All weird brake behavior was eliminated :D

    Yes, the drilled 11" drum brakes worked perfectly after crossings like this:

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]


    Additionally, the brakes worked better dry. As good as discs... I did the comparison with similar disc-braked rigs.
    And if you ever experienced brake fade on a long steep descent... that too was eliminated, because the gasses that build up between the shoe and the drum that cause the brake fade are vented through the holes.
     
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