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Disc brake were available on D100 starting in 72.
I've had several 73 D100's with disc brakes.

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Disc brake were available on D100 starting in 72.
I've had several 73 D100's with disc brakes.

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My old '72 W100 had 4 wheel drums.

Is there a common brake "upgrade" for these trucks or is the factory stuff ok if its working as designed?

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My 72 D200 is disc. I haven't towed a lot, but when I did, the factory stuff was fine. I didn't have trailer brakes either.

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As best I understand it, to upgrade to Disk Brakes on Drum Brake Front Axles 4x4's, you need to replace the entire Front Axle Housing, not just the brake rotors, calipers and mounting brackets, as they are significantly different.

You might be able to transplant an entire Axle assembly, rotor-to-rotor from a later model truck, but certain years were full-time 4WD.

There may be some aftermarket solution for all I know.

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My 72 D200 is disc. I haven't towed a lot, but when I did, the factory stuff was fine. I didn't have trailer brakes either.

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Do the trucks generally have boosters? Hard to imagine they didn't. I can't remember whether mine had one or not.

I guess 1972 was a transition year for disc brakes, some had them, some didn't get 'em.

Had to replace a hub (I think) on that W100 truck once, ended up scouring the country looking for the part. What a PITA. I thought about going to disc at that point and from what I could ascertain, the 'easiest' way was to swap axles from a later truck or go to a brand X knuckle. Never did it though.

I am primarily looking for a 2WD truck though. I'm not doing any wheeling so there's no real need for 4WD.

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Nothing wrong with a D100 or D200 for your use. I've towed a lot of cars with my 97 Dakota just not over the mountains.
As stated before install a trailer brake controller and have good working trailer brakes which is required by law anywho. Auto tranny with a good cooler is fine but having that granny gear on a 4-speed is nice for taking off with a load.

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Towed a loaded 67 GTO & brought a 64 Belvedere 1000 miles home.
Only hassle was 35 mph max speeds up a few 1500 ft steep grades.
But 75 mph on the flats at 2600 rpm was easy & stable.

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I have a question on this topic, along with a comment.

With a half ton truck, the weight of the trailer is important. Trailer weights can vary considerably. A lighter trailer will reduce the amount of weight being towed.

Has anyone used a weight distributing hitch when towing with a half ton? Do these hitches make a difference?

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Yes I have used a weight distributing hitch on many vehicles, like 15 or so. I used one on a 05 durango, that's like a 1/2 ton short bed.

They are so necessary IMO with any tow vehicle, but especially with light duty vehicle like a 1/2 ton and even more so with a short wheelbase.

I have a huge frieghtliner toterhome built to haul a 50' mini semi.

I pull a reg sized open car trailer and have pulled it both ways, with my bars pulled up tight on the chains and without the weight bars. The huge truck rides way better with the weight bars than without, it's noticeable. So I use my weight bars on every trip now even with this huge truck.

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So do it and let us know how it works.

R.

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The lift isn't all that radical & a drop hitch corrects the hitch height & its really stable & handles surprisingly well. After towing a 24'enclosed with my long wheelbase Cummins, I figured the 71 would be a handful, but
its stable & not tail twitchy at all. Airbags also help keep things level when towing.
The tall gears & 35"x12x 16.5 BFG's are great on the highway & I'm only spinning about 2400 rpm at 70. But it does need 4.10's with the short stroke 383 mag. Going up a steep 1500 -2000 ft grade towing the belvedere, I was maxed out at 35mph so a stroker crank or 4.10's are in the plans.

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