1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Brakes Original

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by johnny and sandy, Nov 24, 2019.

  1. Nov 24, 2019
    johnny and sandy

    johnny and sandy Member

    San...
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2008
    Messages:
    191
    Hi kids have a break question. I have an original 1963 CJ5 with the original brakes. I'm not able to lock up the brakes, in other words I can't slam on the brakes and come to a stop. Is that typical of the small brake shoes? Or should I look elsewhere start the trouble shooting
     
  2. Nov 24, 2019
    Greevesman

    Greevesman Member

    Napa, Ca
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2014
    Messages:
    417
    That is typical of the 9" front brakes. That and pulling to one side or the other. Upgrade to 11" front. I did it and it is a great improvement.
     
  3. Nov 24, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Do you have big tires? I wonder if they would lock up with the original skinny tires.
     
  4. Nov 24, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    I've always had mine in mud and water so I don't know how well original brakes actually work. I agree with 11" brakes on the front being the way to go.
     
    65CJ5 SRD likes this.
  5. Nov 24, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    To be fair, if they were restored to original spec and properly adjusted, that might be a place to start comparisons. Most anyone who "upgrades" is probably going from badly neglected OEM to fully tuned new components.

    All my jeeps have always seemed adequate to me with the small drums, but I don't drive in heavy traffic.
     
  6. Nov 24, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    Driving conditions are the key factor indeed! 9 " brakes can be adequate, they're basically the original version of anti-lock brakes. :D
     
  7. Nov 24, 2019
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

    Show low az
    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2019
    Messages:
    473
    Have always wondered how bad stock brakes truly were
     
  8. Nov 24, 2019
    65CJ5 SRD

    65CJ5 SRD Member

    NM
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2019
    Messages:
    103
    I had the 9" drums worked on before I went to 11". The parts for the 9's were harder to get. Even after getting them worked on it was still pathetic when braking. The 11's are almost like having power brakes. If you plan to go through a lot of water you might consider discs, otherwise going from 9 to 11 should work well for you.
     
  9. Nov 24, 2019
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2007
    Messages:
    1,103
    I understand your point of comparison of old poorly maintained 9" brakes to upgraded larger brakes. I also understand your propensity to keep your vehicles as original as possible but in this day in age, I have to ask why not upgrade. To me it's not a matter of whether I drive in light or heavy traffic but the fact that I do drive in todays traffic with way to many distractions such the preverbal cell phone.
     
  10. Nov 24, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    Lazy, I guess. :)

    Certainly I don't fault anyone wanting to improve their brakes.
     
    dozerjim and Twin2 like this.
  11. Nov 24, 2019
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    virginia
    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2015
    Messages:
    1,290
    I put new 9in brakes all round on the 3B, when I restored it. Didn't realize that the 11in would bolt up, nor did I know about this site and the info available here. This is a great forum.
    With new, well adjusted brakes and skinny bias ply tires, I could not lock up any wheels on dry pavement. Later put 11in brakes on the front and 10in on the rear and I am very happy with it.
    Can practically stand it on its nose now.
     
    47v6 likes this.
  12. Nov 25, 2019
    Greevesman

    Greevesman Member

    Napa, Ca
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2014
    Messages:
    417
    It's a very easy conversion.
     
    65CJ5 SRD and 47v6 like this.
  13. Nov 25, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    No.
     
    Rick Whitson likes this.
  14. Nov 25, 2019
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
    Messages:
    2,753
    i did the brennan metcalf disk break conversion on a '62, and its a pretty epic upgrade. im going to do it on my '70 this winter, and its already on my FC-150 im redoing. look into this, i think all in all it was about 250 bucks.

    i had 10" breaks, and they get any kind of wet, forget about stopping. its scary. plus, now you would have the ease of swapping out brake pads. no more constant adjusting.
     
  15. Nov 26, 2019
    johnny and sandy

    johnny and sandy Member

    San...
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2008
    Messages:
    191
    Hi it's my daily driver and I try my best to keep lots of distance between me and the car in front of me time to start breaking way in advance. it's just that I noticed that I really need a lot of leg power to get her to stop and that's the way it always has been.

    When I let my ex-wife Drive I told her to stop, I said press on the brake pedal, she said I am I am as we kept rolling along. I was thinking of switching over to the 11-inch brakes since I drive this all the time like I said it's my daily driver. When I talked to Carl at Walck's about 11 inch brakes he said that the stock ones are just fine. That's why I asked the question do they really work oh, sometimes I think I'm driving a Model T.
     
  16. Nov 29, 2019
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2018
    Messages:
    2,698
    I 've got a a Front Bendix 11" set , if your interested . PM me.
    BTW, They have self adjusters, too ! ;)
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2019
  17. Nov 29, 2019
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2008
    Messages:
    4,716
    With good incentives a very dedicated person can lock 9s when they find religion.

    You don't adjust disks. and you don't have to see a physical therapist when you find religion.

    11's are a good compromise to keep stock wheels. 11' also allow for parking brakes on the rear axle with the right backers and can have self adjuster kits.
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2019
    65CJ5 SRD and Lockman like this.
  18. Nov 30, 2019
    65CJ5 SRD

    65CJ5 SRD Member

    NM
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2019
    Messages:
    103
    Good thought. I may look into using the rears for the parking brake.
     
New Posts