Brake input from those that did various upgrades

I've been reading lots of threads and trying to decide balance between $ and function. We've got 2 different vehicles that I need to address, 55 wagon and 58 CJ5, both factory stock everything. Obviously, we all know these brakes, without tons of $, won't be like our modern antilock, multi caliper brimbo, smart avoidance, blah, blah, blah. While the brakes in both work, they require leg the wife is not used to, especially in emergency. We will not be doing the major off road stuff, but may do some Colorado trails in CJ, but doubtful in Wagon. Little highway just mostly around town under 45.

So my question is for those that did the various things like bigger or disc or power assist, what gave the most bang for the buck? Was it really that noticeable? I'm thinking about the dual circuit remote refill from 61zip just as a safety thing, but before I tear into wheels and spend money on the existing stuff only to replace and have wasted that money, I'm trying to get feel for what really helped. Or is realistically, not that big of a difference unless you go the whole route of dual circuit, vaccume assisted, front disc, which really adds up for 2 vehicles?

 

I put 66 axels on mine with 10" brakes, they came with the donor jeep, and were already completely rebuilt. They are OK, but I would like to have the 11" brakes off a newer CJ5. I don't think that at 2500 lbs. and 60 mph. stock Jeeps need power disc brakes, just my opinion. I like simple, and less expensive.

 

11" bendix brakes was a fantastic upgrade on my first 2A. It was literally the difference for hoping you would stop and locking them up.

 

I have the 11" Bendix drum brakes on mine and agree with the others...it makes a world of difference.
But, a couple of caveats...if your off roading includes a lot of water crossings, disc brakes would a worthwhile upgrade.
Drum brakes, no matter what type, take forever to dry out.
Also, the Mrs. may still not like it, the pedal pressure required is still more than a modern car.
Regardless, do the dual circuit master cylinder upgrade....losing all your brakes ain't no fun! DAMHIK.....

 

I did disc brakes all around on my CJ6. Manual Corvette master cylinder and Ford hub and disc ***'y. Early Chevy spindles, 70s era Wagoneer or Chevy truck backing plates and calipers and stub shafts in front. In rear, early Chevy spindles bored out to accept Moser full float shafts and neck cut down to use in my stock Dana 44 housing. It was a bit of work, but all the stuff was junkyard found except for new calipers and the Moser shafts. The machine work on the spindles for the rear didn't take hardly any time, I can't imagine a large bill there. I had a cut down Scout Dana 44 in the front already, but I think a Dana 30 could use the same setup. Will lock up the tires easily, no matter how steep the hill, or whats in my little trailer. Oh, almost forgot, also a cheapie inline adjustable proportioning valve to the rear brakes. I think R&P 4WD sells all the stuff to do it if sourcing the parts is a problem. If I remember correctly, I got the spindles from them and found extras at my local junkyard.

 

I have a 71 cj5 so I already had 10" brakes all around with a dual master cylinder. The only upgrade I did was add disk brakes up front, that with the rear 10" made this thing stop on a dime even without a power booster. I run 31" tires and these brakes vwill stop a small trailer with 32 bales of green hay on it.

 

Your CJ5 seems to be well addressed already, so I will comment on your Wagon. I have a couple Wagons, and have had many over the years. The 11" brakes on them are more than adequate if they are in good condition, and I have usually gone 1/8" larger diameter bore when I replace the master cylinder, while updating to dual-circuit for safety. I have also increased the front wheel cylinder diameter by 1/8" too. Some trucks and wagons seem to already have larger bores for their wheel cylinders, so I don't know what was original. I have had my Wagons stop straight and howl the tires in a hard stop - very reassuring!
I was sourcing the tandem master cyl. from a 1970s Ford pickup. Wheel cylinders were just matched up Wagner pieces with the larger bores.
I installed Scout ll d44 axles under another Wagon and it stopped great with the front disc/11" rear drums, but not that much better than reworked stock drums. I wish I could find those Scout axles today like I could 10 years ago!
-Donny

 

71 has front disc , original 10" rear and Cherokee booster. I have been messing with brakes on this thing for at least 15 years. I finally have it where I feel comfortable letting my wife drive it.

 

Glenn, are you call my wife old? She'll kick your but if I tell her you said that......however for a small donation to the brake fund, I won't tell her. Just saying.

 

So what about taking the front 10" drums off the wagon and putting them on the CJ and then putting disc on the wagon? After all she will be driving the wagon more than the CJ plus the wagons are considerably heavier than the jeeps. I'm planning on doing a hydrovac boost from a guy called 61zip over on the Oldwillys forum on both as soon as he gets it out.

 

I thought the Utility Wagons all had the 11"x2" Lockheed manual adjust brakes?

Agree with Glenn - most of the braking is done by the fronts. Only problem on the CJ might be the fronts locking up before the rear, which is not as bad as the reverse.