Changing rear discs for drums or better discs

[Rammstein]

My father has a 2000 1500 Sierra extended cab short bed 4X4, manual tranny (somewhat rare I was told).

He has to change the rear discs (which includes the parking brake) this spring and would like to know if he could put the drums GMC now puts on the 2005 models.

Is it a direct bolt on?

Anybody have done it?

He wants to go to drums because the discs, but mostly the pads wear very fast and are pretty expensive.

Also, what brand of aftermarket discs could he use (if the drum swap is not possible).

If you have links to canadian shops, it would be appreciated.

I searched, but found nothing on this subject.

[Rammstein]

Bump!

Anyone?

[steve in alaska]

I don't really have an answer..but can you clarify..GM is going back to rear drum brakes?? I have a 2002 Sierra that wore thru the right rear rotor at less than 12,000 miles (pads wore down to metal) and I can see them rectifying the problem, but taking a step backwards to drums rather than fixing the problem seems unlikely.

Are you sure about the 2005 models having drum brakes?

Thanx,
Steve

[sawyer]

Don't think GMC has went back to drum brakes on 2005 models. My father just baught a 05 GMC Sierra and it has disk brakes all the way around. As does my 04 Sierra.

[blabhern]

I understand the drum brakes are coming on the '05 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. That's just what I heard, don't know for sure.

As for the original question, you got me! I haven't heard of anyone wanting to go from disc to drum, only the opposite. I would first check with GM and see if the proportioning valve is working correctly. 70% of braking should be done by the front brakes and the rears should last longer. The next thing I would look into is going with softer pads in order for the pads to wear and not the disc rotor. Then, if you didn't know, DO NOT, i repeat, DO NOT get the rotors resurfaced each time you replace the brake pads. It's only necessary if the rotors have deep gouges in them.