The only thing that really concerns me is how to prevent the welded two-piece drum that you end up with, from being out of round. I mean, it's going to have to be gnat's-ars perfect or it won't work.
I thought about trying to see if Centric or one of these other drum manufacturers would consider drilling one of their 11" drum blanks with 8 lug holes instead of 5 or 6. That right there would solve the problem nicely. However, considering that they now get their drums from China, I don't know if I'd put my money on a Chinese custom-job. I just don't have that much confidence in the Chinese.
My best chance at solving this problem is to find another 8-lug drum at a salvage yard, and hope I can get the darn things apart.
I did, however, find a '60's GMC 3/4 ton 2WD truck in the salvage yard here locally, and it has...(drum roll please)...a bolt-on crossmember on a narrowed front frame with DISC BRAKES on 8 lug wheels!!!
I might have to drive on three brakes instead of four, and do a lot of downshifting, but if I buy that front clip and spend the winter restoring it, that might be my best bet.
Unfortunately, returning my '52 GMC back to stock front brakes is kind of impossible if you can't even get restoration parts.
There's all kinds of stuff for half-tons, but almost nothing for 3/4 tons.
