Gents -- it's too bad we haven't heard yet from GriggIII or Amtrakjoe as both of them have done the rear 3rd member upgrade and faced the wheel/tire issue with their highway capable 3800 DRW trucks.
And if 3800 brake drums are so unavailable, why do I now have three complete sets in my parts collection (one is heading to AmtrakJoe, though)???
OP -- Sorry my article gave you such a headache. It was written to be read once, understood and followed a second time while performing the work. It's a *very* simple procedure.
Like many others, I routinely run highways (at posted speed limits) as well as back roads on my original multi-piece rims and new bias ply tires and huck brakes. No issues. BUT ... it doesn't handle or perform quite like a new truck, either. If new truck handling and performance were that important to me, I'd buy a new truck. My truck still retains it's antique truck character. Part of that is it's handling -- which requires old school technique to drive it safely and effectively. All part of the attraction for me and many others. I think the OP had a preconceived notion of what he wanted to do which mainly involves the styling of an old truck but not the engineering. Thus, it's time to move this to the High Performance section. We tried the easy way. He's bound and determined to do it the hard way.
Maybe the hot rod guys can help him.
John
