I have an 8.75 rear end with 11 by 2 inch drums which are hard for me to find. Can I just literally put an 11 by 2.5 inch drum with 2.5 inch shoes?

 

Don't think so. The drums have to mount tight to the axle and may rub on the backing plate. Also, the 2 1/2" shoes may hold everything out too, far and not allow the drum to seat against the axle end.

I'm also in California. Have you tried NAPA? I have had good luck with them and actually checked on drums for my Fury. They told me that they could get them but, would have to order them. Couple of days and the price was reasonable.

Let me add: If your brake "shoes" are 2" wide, your drums may be 2 1/2".

I found these though, I have never delt with them myself.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/search/?Ntt=Brake Drum

 

Did you check rock auto. They have a huge supply of older parts.
I have heard of folks getting a compltet brake set-up out to the drums. Not exactly cheap.

 

yea the 2.5" won't work. keep searching online and locally. haha, one trick might be to take the thing in to a crappy place like pep boys. when they say you need new drums, ask who their supplier is and then go straight to the source instead of getting bent over by manny, moe and jack.

 

Are 11X2 available for 70's trucks?
Should be able to get them at your local parts house.
If not maybe you can find the backing plates for the 2.5" then you will be able to use them. No?

 

What kind of vehicle is it ?? Get some of the 10" 2 1/2" backing plates and 10" 2 1/2" drums Works fine for 98% of the vehicles. For a Van/truck use the finned HD drums

 

been looking on rock auot and they do not list a 11X2 either they are no longer available or I am looking under the wrong car. As asked what do you have. Are you sure they are 11X2 c-body? I looked under 68 Fury I /6. the lightest c I could think of and only 11 drums are available but start at 11X2 1/2.you might still have to swap those backing plates to get what is currently available. I still think you can get truck parts at a bone yard, and swap 'em in.

 

not available at napa...i'm asst manager of a napa main counter and we cant get the rears...but we can order the front drums...they are expensive...like $110 a piece my cost. at least thats the story with my 67 sport fury...i imagine the 68 are the same

 

have you tried oreilly's? i know they carry alot more of the classic car parts than most of the other parts stores.

 

11x2-1/2 backing plates still available thru ma Mopar as a last resort.

4383441 backing plate-brake-support-left 11x2.5 drums
4383440 backing plate-brake-support-right 11x2.5 drums
J3201032 guide plate-brake shoe, 11" brakes
4773942 spring-parking brake lever strut, inside brake drum 11" brakes
4294951 cable-parking brake equalizer, all 1970-71, exc 71 B/E body
2201467 clip-retaining, emergency brake rear cables a/m
2260787 pushrod-wheel cyl, 2/wheel all drum brakes