Are there aluminum brake drums made for our trucks?

[team39763]

I was reading through a bunch of old racing articles and I noticed aluminum brake drums were mentioned a lot.  I think that would be a good idea if I could afford/find them.  Anybody know where to look?  Or is this an idea I need to forget about?

[VileZambonie]

Aluminum drums are steel lined and expensive. They really aren't worth it. Are you trying to reduce unsprung weight?

[team39763]

Yeah I was trying to reduce the unsprung weight since I don't want to get rid of my stock looking steel wheels.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i'm sorry i can't be of great help right now;  i've got my own problems to deal with.

But i also know there is a disk brake kit available for the 73-87's.  i can't remember exactly where i saw it, but will let you know when the info becomes available again.  This saves about 12lbs over stock drums.

2) i think the B-bodies, certain ones, had alum drums.  Again, i can't remember the exact details, but i'm sure the b-body sites can help.  As you may know, many b-bodies also had the 5x5 bolt pattern.

[team39763]

I found some camaro/monte carlo aluminum drums.  I was thinking I could send them to a pro to be welded up and redrilled to my bolt pattern.  Or is there more to it than that?  Will they even fit?  The description says they are 9.5" diameter inside, not sure how big mine are yet. 

[VileZambonie]

It wouldn't be worth it.

[team39763]

I think you're right Vile.  I'm not sure how much wheel shops charge to fill'n'drill but add that to the $100 for the drums and I guess I could look into a disc brake swap.  I've been reading up on that Impala brake conversion.  From what I understand all I need is the rotors.  I'm not exactly sure what calipers I need...what would be the easiest/simplest install?  I'm not interested in a E-brake, so I'm not worried about that. 

[DnStClr]

Here's a discussion from last January. Could be what Stewart was referring to.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6811.msg37765;topicseen#msg37765