My '93 has never had brake issues except once, towing an 8500 pound 5th wheel down a steep grade through the CA redwoods on 101. The trailer brakes were bad and my truck couldn't hold it back very well. Good ride. Since then I've made sure the trailer always has good brakes well adjusted up!
Apparently almost all new engines are electric except IVECO (a Cummins/Fiat joint venture I hear) which meets all air quality laws without it. Many are naturally aspirated too. In fact 10 years ago when Europe's air standard requirements went beyond ours, Mercedes dumped all their 300D engines on the US market. I bought a new factory benz diesel, complete, for $4400. But the new IVECOs are legal there. We're seeing a lot of them in boats too.
My dealer's diesel guy says the issue with 03 and newer is the smog stuff. he said for instance the injectors on a new one are almost a grand each, where I got all 6 marine injectors (extra 50 or so HP) installed in my 93 for 700. he said take 'em out and put them in the 01 or 2 if I get it which I won't! I can't see selling the 93. It's the last of the really heavy duty models. It may turn like the titanic and ride like a rodeo horse, but at 340K miles it goes right down the road and other than a tranny at 280K has been pretty trouble free. She's named Ol' WDWT (White Trash Wet Dream).

 

Interesting. No,it's a '99 with the D80/NV5600 that he waited 6 months for.

Still even he gets in my '07 and remarks how much better mine stops than his even with my camper load.

 

Must be a reason GM switched back to rear drums on it's 3/4 and 1 tons a few years ago...
Manufacturers don't usually make changes like that unless there's a good reason.

 

I believe hydroboost started with the 97's but its been 10 years since I sold my 97.

 

That reason is probably as simple as reducing costs - either in manufacturing or warranty.

Last I checked, automotive manufacturers were NOT in the business of building long-lasting personal-use trucks with exceptional performance in tough conditions.

That's probably why the rear disc continues in the >1-ton commercial market. There you are going to regularly see 2-5 tons carried on the rear axle, and brake fade is a real issue - unlike a trailer which has its own brakes.

 

I can tell you from experience that the rear disc on these pickups are worth every penny. This isn't coming from what I've read or what JimBob told me. I've owned 2 2nd gens with disc's and 5 with drums. All of the drums were upgraded and still didn't compair to disk. The disk's will put you into the windshield.

 

That said, my 01.5 is heavier and stops better loaded than my dad's 94 RC empty. I went after the 01.5 for the rear discs.

Another reason big rigs use drums up front is clearance issues with the wheel. The caliper has to be able to work with the wheel/hub so it is limited in size and makes for a smaller rotor. The air brake drum for the drum brakes sits outboard of the wheel/tire and operates a rod so you can have larger surface area on a drum than a rotor.

That said I still think Fords have had the best brakes since the SD's came out

 

You could consider takeing some of the money saved on the 01 drum brake truck and invest in a Exhaust Brake then you would have better stopping/hold back power when towing your 5th wheel than the 02 would have.

 

Your marine injectors from the 93 WILL NOT go/fit into an 01 or 2 that is not correct.

Like the above post said buy the truck you like and can afford and install the exhaust brake you will stop better and save the brakes all around on your new to you truck.

 

My 02 started off with a dana 70, with disks. Currently I have a D80 out a 95 dodge, with drum brakes. I had lots of issues with rocks damaging my rear brake on the disks. You can't find replacement dust shields for a the D70/D80 with disks either for a dodge, which just makes the problem worst. I have the same issue with my 2010 with rocks.

I can't really tell the difference between disks and drums, for braking performance. Drums last longer than disks, I replaced my rear pads when I had disks far more often than the fronts. The e-brake on the D70 is junk and has never worked well ever.

You can upgrading the rear brake calipers to the larger chevy units help to get more braking performance. I'm staying with drums for now. I have a D80 rear disk kit for my truck, but I will install once my truck become a highway cruiser/GTG show stopper.

 

Im looking into the ford front hub and knuckle swap on the D60. Sick of these unit hubs.. but theres an added bonus I get the ford rotors and the twin piston calipers.

I get brake fade in panic stops. feels like a skid with no tire squeal. Only cure for that is better pads and slotted or drilled rotors to allow gas to vent from under the pad.

 

Well, I sure appreciate all the info regarding brakes! I think what I've decided is to look at BOTH 01s and 02s and buy what seems a good truck, regardless of the rear brakes. Then put in the jake.

Tested an 01 HO 4x4 6 speed a few days ago. He said he'd take my 15K cash (here in the NW anyway if you're fortunate enough to have a little cash it is a buyer's market). It was spotless, had a chip, big tires, 4" pipe, open muffler. At 110K miles it had a new clutch showing the kid owning it couldn't drive it. I tested it out; hit 75 in 4th before I even noticed. The thing is roaring and I can just imagine sitting in this monster towing down the freeway. You'd need ear plugs!! Meanwhile in town I'm working the $%@ shift lever back and forth and that's when I decided.

Gimmie an AUTOMATIC with a jake. I'm in my 60s and guess I've grown up.... Anyway, thanks again to everybody who wrote to answer me.

 

Make SURE you tow something heavy with one before you buy it. Built Autos are beautiful, stock ones SUCK to tow with, at least until you kill it and build it properly.

I danced back and forth before I kept the stick, but if I weren't building it for Armageddon, I would have sent the Auto in to Goerend for an attitude adjustment.

 

[QUOTE=patdaly;3068242]Make SURE you tow something heavy with one before you buy it. Built Autos are beautiful, stock ones SUCK to tow with, at least until you kill it and build it properly.

I figger buying a very clean used one for 13 to 15K and I expect to put another 5 into it for a heavy duty towing automatic rebuild (will happen as soon as I buy the truck), a new lift pump, and a jake. Seems a lot but a new one here is 50K plus sales tax and my income won't allow that sort of thing!

A couple years ago a friend did buy a new one. I was teasing him about it being so pretty it will kill him to dent it. He showed me a hollow in the side bed panel. He said when he got it home, he took a hammer and whacked it good once. he said that ended the suspense, and now he doesn't worry!

 

Been there, done that. I do it with every new vehicle. My wife hates it and about killed me the first time.