"Not sure what to tell you on the various drum brakes. Not sure They are all interchangeable on a given axle housing because of flange location. Have to measure and see."

I was going to do a quick check tonight. Just measure from the end of the diff housing to the backing plate flanges on each side and each rearend.

"I'm sure you can't put dual hubs on a single wheel axle and expect any drum brakes to bolt on."

Both of these are dual wheel rearends. Pics didn't show that. LOL. Not sure why one would have had 2.5's and the other 3.5's, but I assume they had heavier and lighter duty applications. I have not really verified that they are actually 2.5" as you suggested, but makes sense as they both have dual hubs and different backing plates. Right now it has dual tires at both ends and I can't get to the drums.


"Do you need 3.42 gears, what will your engine be? I feel that 4.10 is about all a 235 or 228 can pull. 3.73 might be OK with more power, but 3.42 is pretty fast."

Nope, sticking with 4.10's. Just wanna swap backing plates and brakes from one dually rear to the other and have a 4.10 rear with 2.5" brakes instead of 3.5" brakes. Rather not disturb the gears, and if this works out, there is no reason to.

"I'd pick which brakes you really want and use them now. I found rebuilding the old drum brakes is expensive.. good shoes are expensive, and drums not cheap either. don't spend time and money on something you don't really want or plan to use."


Might be a few years before I convert the rear to disc, if this 2.5" swap works out. I will assess the brakes on the 3.42 ratio rearend and see what is usable / swappable. That may affect my decision, but my priority would be to get the rear usable and spend the money on the front discs where most of the work is done.

Thanks as always Grigg.

Larry W.

1953 3800 Dually Flatbed