Did a search but no luck.  Lots of info on putting disks in the rear, or working on Toy axles.

I changed the shoes on a cousins samurai, and adjusted to bring the pads inward.  I just can't get the drum back on...  Shoes are the same as the old ones.

Any tips or stupid stuff I'm not thinking of...

Back the adjuster off to loosen up the shoes, slip the drum back on.  Than just adjust the shoes to the desired amount.  I'm not sure if this is what you had already done....if not its a start.

Amilla

Has anyone ever done a Trail Tough (or similar) rear disk swap on a Tracker/Sidekick?  It uses OEM Samurai front disks, calipers, and caliper brackets...but needs
1) new proportioning valve (can be done)
2) "no provisions for e-brake"
so can it be modified to use a parking brake?
or if I have good rear drums to just keep them maintained for a lot less $$$?

Some where here I saw a post where you can use a transfer case off a older Samurai 410 that has a emergency brake drum and "stuff" on the Tail shaft from the factory. It also has lower gears. Maybe you can check that out.

JayInBarrie, back to your question,  how to get drums back on?  Check that the E-brake cables are not stuck in the slightly engaged position, sometimes they stick and won't let the shoes in far enough.  If they're stuck, pry 'em back, replace 'em or one hillbilly trick is to remove or modify the "E-brake bar".  I'm not sure if there's a bar on sammis, but if so, and the E-brake is never used, then the bar can be removed or notched deeper without hurting the regular brakes.  Mind you, the E-brake won't work without the bar and it won't pass the Highway Patrol test if you gotta worry about that kinda thing.(no inspections in my neck-o-the-woods)

The SJ-410 drum brake will bolt onto the back of the the Samurai transfer case.  The SJ-410 transfer case has 10% lower gears then the Samurai, but the older cases cannot use the lower gear sets.

Amilla is right on for adjusting the brakes.  That reminds me, I need to take off my e-brake and adjust it...

As for the E-Brake bar, you need it on the Samurais, it is part of the adjustment setup.  You can run without it,they will work but the brakes will always be softer.  With most drum brakes the auto-adjuster is set so if you hit the brakes while backing up they will adjust tight.

Hey, thanks for the heads up about the bar!  I forgot some systems use it for the self adjuster.
 OOPS

Hey, thanks for the heads up about the bar!  I forgot some systems use it for the self adjuster.
 OOPS

Yea... I ran like that for a a couple of years until someone pointed out that was why my brakes were spongy.