Heavy Duty rear drum brakes for 1/2 tons.
 

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I learned a little nugget a few weeks ago. Some 1/2 tons had much larger rear brakes than most. This isn't like discovering Plutonium or anything, but it's not common knowledge.

I swapped rear ends under my beater, and took pictures of the differences. Both were 5 lug 12 bolt normal rearends.

I don't know what option code to look for, but I was told this is a 72 Suburban rearend.

It would be a good way to get better rear brakes.

The overall width is identical, so it doesn't affect track width or wheel and tire fitment. The extra depth is in the backing plates. They are dished on the wider setup.

Re: Heavy Duty rear drum brakes for 1/2 tons... FYI
 

I Took The Complete Rear Brake & Drum Assy. Including The Backing Plates Off Of A 75 C-10 , That I Was Pulling The Front Crossmember Assy. Out Of To Put Under A 69. The Shoes Were About 2 5/8" Wide Instead Of 2".I Put Them On My 69 & It Made A Noticable Difference. ;) John

Re: Heavy Duty rear drum brakes for 1/2 tons... FYI
 

Hit the drums real hard perpendicular with their face. Hit them on the smooth part right behind where the wheel mounts. I used to get some real stuck drums on the mail trucks. We always used a 3lb mini sledge. You won't hurt the drums as long as you don't hit them real hard out on the lip.

Re: Heavy Duty rear drum brakes for 1/2 tons... FYI
 

I think all 73+ PUs use the larger rear brakes. You just take the complete backing plate with all shoes, parts & drums and bolt it on your earlier model. It is a lot cheaper than rear disc systems and helps a bunch.

Same applies to 4x4 6lug trucks. We have been upgrading 1/2T 4x4 with this setup for a long time.

The only hassle is if you are junk yarding, you will have to pull the axles to get the assys off.