So, heres my story. Pops and i were restoring our 1981 F250 becuase after 600,000 miles, he deserved it. I swapped out the original semifloating axle for a full floating axle out of a 1995 F250. We pulledthe project outside for a few months, and the garage burnt down. Huge bummer.

Well, we rebuilt the garage, now we are finally getting back to working on the truck, when a simple "oh crap" comes up ... i have no rear brake parts. The truck was rolled out with bare backing plates, no shoes, drums, nothing. Now, i know i can get wheel cylinders, shoes, drums, hardware kits, and adjuster kits from places like NAPA, what i'm trying to locate is things like the swing arm that connects to the parking brake cable, things like that. Things i cant buy over at NAPA. Local yard wont let me yank the brakes off of a rear axle... i'm up for suggestions.

Also, one last thing: with my old pads missing in action, how do i determine if the shoes were 2.5" or 3"? I still have the donor truck for reference sake ... thanks.

 

I would assume the pad width is GVWR related, however I believe as long as you are starting over with a bare axle you could go either way.

Without a picture or diagram I can't think of what you're looking for, but these are good places to check.

RockAuto Parts Catalog

1980-96 Ford Truck/bronco - Brake Parts F250 - Rear Brake 4wd F250

 

if i remember correctly, shoe width is proportional to drum width.
if you buy 3 inch drums, you use 3 inch shoes.

 

So ... u guys are saying just pony up and go 3" drums?

 

I'd say go for 3". I can't see the 2.5" being much cheaper. Plus the 3" will have more stopping surface= better braking.

 

Well, while both places are very helpful on getting parts, neither has the parts that i'm in search of ...

in other news, i was pleasantly surprised to find that the new wheel cylinders did get intalled on the backing plates ... it's one less thing for me to buy. However, now i have to find out if i bought them for the 2.5" or the 3" ...

 

I'm looking for the crazy banana shaped part that is located on the left side of the brake picture ... it connects to the top on a pin above the wheels cylinder (also need the part there too) and the other end of it connects to the parking brake cable ...

 

also, after staring at the picture for a bit, i realize i need the two pins that go into the wheel cylinders ( 4 total, two per side) and the little metal part that attaches to the bottom ofthe shoe and holds the adjuster ...

 

have you tried to find a guy who parts out Ford trucks on craig's List. It seems that just about every county and province in the country has at least one. I was lucky enough to find a local guy with a lift and a back yard full of old ford trucks in various stages of strip down before I even bought my truck. Sorry to hear about the barn;(.

 

Sadly, everyone i've tried to get ahold of, either privately or through a yard, wont sell me just the brake parts, they want to sell me the entire rear axle ...

 

Seems to me if you get the spring "kit" some of them come with a new adjuster and the adjusting lever(little bracket).
As for the 2.5"-3" shoes I'm not positive but wouldn't the distance from the face of the axle where the drum would but up against and the backing plate be different distances?
IE: if you use 2.5" on a 3" setup there would be 1/2" gap between the edge of the drum and the backing plate. Or 3" on a 2.5" setup there would be a 1/2" gap between the face of the axle and the inside of the drum..... If that makes any sense.... But i could be wrong too as I havent dealt with 250 axles

Unless the drum is shaped differently between the two

 

I'm hoping the Saturday after this one comming up so jan 7th to make a trip to pick n pull to try and find some 250 rear leafs for my 150. If I find one with a set of brakes still there I'll grab a bunch of the pieces for you And send them your way if you havent found anything by them. Guess it depends how much of a rush you are in.

I'll also take some measurements for you. Might help comparing to decide on shoes

 

I was thinking the same thing ... i see the wheel cylinders are different betweent the two, so im going to see what wheel cyl i have ... and if u see anything grab em for me if they arent too pricey, i'm in no hurry ...

 

You should post a pic of the wheel cylinders you have now ( make sure I look for parts for right ones lol)

And I'll let you know what I come up with when I go