Classic/Antique Car Repair: Brake Drum on 1964 Ford pickup, disc brake conversion, wheel bearings

Question
Good morning,

I am getting ready to take the brake drums off of my 1964 Ford Pickup, so I can install a disc brake conversion.  I believe these will be stubborn and will not easily come off.

Is these any special "puller" I can rent to pull these drums??  I have read where I need to back the brake shoes off a little.  I know some are hard to get off.  Can you please help me?  Thanks.

JD

Answer
Is the truck a 100 series one half ton? three quarter ton and bigger use a heavy duty axle that requires taking out the axle shafts and taking the drums off by removing the wheel bearings. Most of the time the one half ton drums come off relatively easy. I would spray penetrating oil around the axle flange where the drums mount several days before you  plan on working on the truck. Then remove the wheels and take off the thin sheet metal retaining nuts that may be on the lug studs. If the drum won't move on the axle flange give it several sharp raps with a hammer around the outer edge in line with the axle flange. You may have to loosen the adjustment but there is no puller made for this job.
Brad