Are 11inch brakes worth the cost?

Hey folks,
I have been lurking around this forum for a while. I have started working on a 1959 Jeep that is in fairly good shape, but needs all new brakes for the first step. Is the 11inch up grade worth the extra cost. and what type of master cylinder would you use with it for the best results. I am located in Western NC with lots of hills. I just have no idea what the 9 inch drums would perform like since they are not working. The Jeep is a 3 speed with 5.38 axle, so speed will not be much. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Yes they are worth it!! one of the best things I have done on my JEEP. I got all the stuff from an old postal jeep. everything bolted on. And i still have the single factory (new) master cylinder. some do a duel set up and I an thinking of going to it this summer (for the safety aspect)

 

thanks for the reply. By dual do you mean dual reservoir system or two master cylinders.

 

Dual reservoir. The nice part is they don't all have to be done at once. Keep your eye out and get 11 inch brakes for the front, then at a later time do the rears.

 

Since the front and back are both bad and need seals to, I will just do the 11 inch all around. Is there a master cylinder that is better than others?

 

Yes, especially if you need to do the brakes anyway. The backing plates can be sourced from trucks, wagoneers, commandos, Jeepsters, or anything else with a symetrical 6-bolt dana axle 11" backing plate. R&P sells the complete kit if you do not want to do or do not have time to the sourcing yourself.

 

X2

an 11" Brake swap and a Warn O/D install are the biggest "bolt on" bang for the buck. IMHO

I see a pair of "take-off" Drum assemblies go for under 100. (incl backing plates) once and awhile. I got lucky with a pair complete for my fronts for $ 35. shipped. :stout:

 

dual reservoir system

 

Yes. completely worth it. If your going to do the dual MC might as well put on front discs.

 

Another plus of 11 inch brakes is that wheel cylinders, shoes and springs are readily available at about any parts store, making for quick repairs.

 

X3.
Actually scared myself the first time I used 11" brakes in an emergency situation,
never had all 4 wheels locked up before on pavement in this Jeep.
(CJ3B

 

Posted via Mobile Devicedid `11 inch and disc with dual mc, can put you through yhe windshield

 

you need 16" wheels to run 11" brakes dont you?

 

no. my mud tires are 15" rims.

I got my backing plates from a '74 bronco front axle.

 

Yes, parts for the 11" brakes are cheap and widely available. If your 9" brakes need service, now's the time.

IMO you can save some money by scrounging the backing plates, but you'll want to use all new components otherwise. Take-off drums can sometimes be reused, but you won't know if they are any good until a shop measures them. Drums can only be turned 0.060" oversize; if they won't clean up under that limit, they are scrap.

The kits from R&P come with all new parts except for the backing plates and levers/links. IMO they are a good deal - especially if the scrounged brakes need new drums.

What would I do? I'd probably scrounge the backing plates, and save maybe $50-100 per axle over the R&P package. But I've done a lot of drum brakes...

 

I went the R&P route and was happy with the out come.
A couple notes:
These projects get bigger and cost more the more you study them.
If you study, you only do it once and pay more once.

I was it the same delema years ago with a "56".
I went with R&P 11" front and rears, no p-brake backs because I had the transfer case brake.

I also went with advance adapters swinging pedal and hydro clutch.

All was good =) untill I broke my D-27

I installed a D-30 with disks, kept the 11" backs, switched to wildwood pedals to get seperate tuneable front vs back, and wish I had gotten the p-brake parts for the back, because the transfer brake has been a pain for me.

The end result is a wonderful set up and some day I'll get the p-brake setup on the rears unless I go disks=).

We like to go rock crawling (minor stuff). I would not skimp on brakes!!

Everytime I thought I had the best setup possible and kept learning more.
keep your hand on your wallet because sometimes these projects get out of hand, but the best place to spend money in the long run is brakes.

Cam

 

Yessir! I bought one of his kits, nice package. I live in Colorado and plan on running Black Bear Road someday, so I want GOOD brakes!

 

Joel Kamunen has a caution for the few people who may have stock 15" wheels rather than the usual 16" stock wheels: "One thing that I overlooked was the wheels. After my 11" brakes were installed, I found out that my stock 15" rims wouldn't fit over the new larger brake drums, so I had to get new white spoke wheels. For anybody doing this conversion, they might want to plan ahead if they have the 15" wheels."

Tim mentioned: "I have, in the past, run 15-inch white spoked rims and also 15-inch Ford 4x4 Pickup rims. Both fit without interference."

Glenn Houston added: "The original 15-inch Jeep wheels will not fit, but both Ford and Dodge 15-inch will fit, at least all that I have tried off pickups will."

Russ W. posted: "15 inch will not fit if you use the heaver cast drums or fin type. I finally found ones that would fit, off a Wagoneer. They are rather thin walled. It is a close fit."

http://www.film.queensu.ca/cJ3B/Tech/Brakes11inch.html