Blewthe rear out of my 01...I can't locate another used one with disc brakes anywhere BUT I've found a nice one with drums. Am I losing a lot of stopping power by changing over or should I stick with the discs?

Will the disc master cylinder work with a drum setup?

 

A master cylinder for disc/disc will not work on disc/drum. You will need to change out yours for one for disc/drum setup. Disc and drum require different volumes to work correctly.

 

I can understand the volume need going from a drum rear to a disk that I need to move more fluid to acticate the calipers...will more volume (since I already have discs) really affect how the rear drums work if I don't change the master cylinder?

 

Without changing the M/C to the disc/drum type, you will lock your rear brakes constantly. The disc system puts too much pressure on the drum system. You can also blow out your rear cylinders without changing M/C. I'm also thinking that the proportioning valve is different from disc to drum. I'll check my books, but I'm sure you have to change that also because of the flow difference. I certainly wouldn't go with the drum style. It will be a bigger hassle than its worth. Good luck.

 

Don't forget that with the drum style rear axle, you only have an 8.8 rear differential. Your truck had a 9.75 sized diff. You'd be much better off with the 2000 up disc rear axle with the h/duty ring and pinion.