Yesterday I took my 53 one ton out for a short drive, just checking things out before I get it inspected next week. Everything went fine driving out my road, but coming back it started straining and loosing power. When I stepped on the clutch the truck came to a quick stop, and when I let the clutch out it shuddered trying to get moving.
I finally decided that the parking brake was somehow engaging, but I managed to coax it back home driving slowly. When I parked it the engine was steaming, and I could smell the rear brakes. Also, I had very little free pedal on the brake pedal, grabbed hard after pushing it in about one inch. And the rear drums were hot. I let it sit overnight, and this morning started to check things out. Jacked up the rear wheel (drivers side) and it turned easily with no grinding or grabbing! I haven't pulled the drum yet, but thing seem to be working normally now.
Any ideas what might have caused this? I still haven't checked the other rear wheel, but I'll do that after I get finished with the driver side. This was a huge disappointment, thought I had it all set!
Tim
I am currently digging back in to a 1953 3800 (one ton) with a nine foot bed. I've owned it since 1979, and drove it until 1982 (or so). My wife got me involved in restoring it back in 2002, got the body removed and the frame redone, then things came up. Now I am retired and starting again. If anyone is interested I have photos on Imagur (
https://timwhiteblues.imgur.com/ ). I live way back in the woods in the Ozarks on 40 acres at the end of a 2 1/2 mile private road.
Tim
