I recently picked up a 91 W250 3/4 ton, and my first project is to get the brakes working well since I will be using it to haul lots of firewood... I bought new 12" drums for the rear along with 12 x 2 1/2" shoes to match what was already on there.. The drums and shoes are identical in dimension to what's being replaced, but I am concerned that I actually have 3" drums on the truck and that the shoes were incorrectly matched by that last person to do the rear brakes. The drums are over 3" deep of usable braking surface.

Haynes manual doesn't offer specific info about which models came with what brakes, so any tips on how to figure out what size shoes I should be running? Is it common for braking surface of the drums to be about 5/8" wider than the shoes?

Thanks!

 

Spicer 70hd is the 3". If the drum is 3+ inch deep, go with the 3", and while your there put all new hardware and wheel cylinder, might as well check your axle seals and repack inspect the bearings, replace if you see any discolored metal, wear, or gritty grease....do it all and be done!

 

that's what I wanted to hear! thanks