for some reason, sometimes when i first take off, when i hit the brakes at a low speed, like leaving my driveway, i barely tap the brakes and both rear brakes lock up with an awful squealing noise. when i get up to about 20 mph and stomp down on 'em, it locks for a split second then they go back to operating normally..... ???? truck listed in my sig

 

I had a similar issue. My rear LH shoe had some grease on them somehow, so I had to change the shoes and get the drums resurfaced. I would check the shoes for grease or brake fluid, and see if the wheel cylinder is frozen or leaking fluid. When was the last time the rears were done?

 

dont know, i just got the truck last week, bought it used. i can do front brakes just fine, just put a new set on my old ram before i sold it.....are rear ones very hard?

 

Getting them off can be a pain, and the rest of it too. Have you ever done drums before? There's a bunch of springs and pins. If you get a haynes manual and search this site for "merry christmas" thread there is a service manual for a 2001 ram. but most of the info is the same. Basically do one side at a time so you have the other side for reference. Its not too bad just more of a pain in the @ss. Changing the wheel cyl. would be the easiest part if it needs it.