Brakes, Are these necessary?

[macca]

There are heavy cast "wings" bolted onto the drums, does anyone know what they are, are for, or are they necessary.
If they can be taken off I will as they will wiegh a fair bit.
Pics
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh94/maccas01/Nissan%20builds/IMG_3226.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh94/maccas01/Nissan%20builds/IMG_3227.jpg
Any help is greatly appreciated as allways.
Macca

[GUtsy ute]

Hi macca,

I was going to take them off my Telstra ute but I sold it before taking them off.
I was told they were for helping to keep mud and rocks clear of inside the wheels.
Can't really see how but they weigh a ton and would make the unsprung weight much less without them.
Unless you find out if they serve any vital purpose get rid of them, less weight to carry the better.IMHO.

[macca]

Heat sinks or stone guards both have merit, still can not really see them being useful as I use the ute.
See if we get some more ideas, otherwise the can come off
Macca

[Clunk]

aren't they just like giant paper weights for keeping the wheels firmly on the ground when driving over rutted roads????

[macca]

clunk 71 said "aren't they just like giant paper weights for keeping the wheels firmly on the ground when driving over rutted roads????"

Mmmaaate Nissan suspension , with a few mods, does it easy.

[Sir Roofy]

my understanding is that they are suppose to deflect stones and dust from the hubs as well as taking the heat out of the drums under constant braking