When I rebuilt the entire brake system on my 1957 2 ton I found that shoes are obsolete/no longer available, I think you will have trouble finding new drums but probably find used. I was able to get rebuild kits for the master cylinder and all six wheel cylinders. I am not using the power brake Hydro-Vac at this point due to internal leakage but with manual brakes and loaded with 105 bales of hay I had no brake issues. Rear axle ratio's are going to keep any of this vintage truck either in the slow lane or the slower lane, mine has a single speed rear end with 7.10 :1 ratio - it tops out at 45 MPH against the governor - doe's not care if it's loaded or empty.
i heard on here there was a place you could send out shoes to be relined. ill have to dig for the thread. eventually she will be cummins powered with an OD trans to help her sail comfortably at around 60mph. im curious what is the "governor" on these trucks? is it a block under the gas pedal? i figured a hydroboost kit for a little truck and a custom bracket will solve my power brake issues as well as upgrading to a split master for front/rear easy enough to split the lines. where did you get the wheel cyl rebuild kit from? thanks!!
