I did this over the weekend and just took a test drive and I am totally amazed at the difference. My brake job from 4 months ago with all new parts was a total waste of money, I should have done this conversion back then.
I used the 1 1/8" W/S and its like a whole new truck. Pedal does not bottom out at all, no where near it. And I have anti lock brakes on dry pavement for the first time in the 4 years I've had this truck. I also put in a new booster and master cylinder from Napa. They have a lifetime guarantee so I figured what the heck.

On a side note... When I did the brakes 4 months ago with the 2 1/2" shoes I got a hardware kit that included new hold down springs and retainer j clips. I bought everything at rockauto. One of the retainer J's was totally missing and allowed the hold down spring to free roam inside the drum. That shoe was destroyed, the drum has some odd wear marks, and every surface was coated in filings from the spring and clip being chewed up. Just an FYI, I bet the parts kit came from China.

 

If it were not for the K cars, which SAVED Chrysler (as did Lee Iaccoca) we would not have our beloved first gen pick 'em ups! Just sayin'
And, I had a turbo K car that would trounce a new Mustang at the time!
NO it was NOT stock.
And yes, it WAS ugly. THAT was the beauty, and FUN of it!

 

Also, the K car was the return of the American convertible, but it was still butt ugly though. It may have been the box that everyone is trying to think out of...Mark

 

Here is a beaut...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/63170901@N03/6963186685/http://www.flickr.com/photos/63170901@N03/6963186685/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/63170901@N03/, on Flickr

Mark

 

Glad to hear all went well for you man.

Did you have the drums machined or just re-use?

FYI, I cut big drums all the time at work because i work in a machine shop. And honestly it's way easier and comes out better if you leave the hub on the drum. Most of the time I can use the bearing races to TRUE the drum up to assure NO wobbling.

 

The drums were new 4 months ago, the damage from the broken spring was less than an inch wide and not very deep so I figured the new shoe will bed into that pretty quick.
Ive got to do one more round of bleeding now that its been for a drive and then attack the shakey trans. Just wish atf+4 wasn't so expensive.

 

Because it's non lockup you can get away with Dexron I'm pretty sure, and it'll make it shift firmer because it's more grippy. ATF+4 is real slick.

 

Back to Brakes mine work great. I just replaced all the steel lines and adjusted rear brakes with all stock replacement parts. I think the big problem with the brakes is these poor old trucks are often over loaded without enough trailer brake.

Stock towing from owners manual.
5 speed 16,000 w/3.54 gears 17,000 w/4.10
Auto 12,000 either gear set.

That leaves 10,000 worth of trailer which should have brakes on the heaviest rating.

Mine would put an unsuspecting passenger into the dash without issue what more can you ask for out of a 20 year old truck. They are not as good as newer stuff generally things in the auto world get better as time goes by.

 

I just finished making my brakes cherry. They work great now. I'll bee doing a write up soon

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk