Tonoffun -- A couple of thoughts to file away in your thought box for future reference:
1. Keep your ears open to hear of anyone scrapping/giving away/selling 3800 axle parts, especially the earlier ones with Huck brakes. I have two complete sets of drums and brake parts (in addition to the ones actually on the truck) that I've collected over the years from guys either upgrading their trucks to Bendix brakes or they bought an AD 3800 just for the sheet metal.
2. Those brake shoes can be relined. Any shop that relines brakes or clutches will probably be able to do it.
3. IF you have anyone else (like a shop) do your brakes in the future, don't let them turn your drums. If you have a lip or a ridge, you can let them remove that. Or if they are out of round ... ? .... If they are that out of round they need to be turned, they may not be useable anyway. but other than that, don't let them remove perfectly good metal (and wear out your drums faster). scoring and grooving is fine. Some will argue that it actually adds braking surface to makes your brakes work even better. Not sure I subscribe to that theory ... but it sounds good.
4. You can drive your truck in modern traffic traffic with Huck brakes. I do. However, Huck brakes do have their limitations so drive accordingly.
5. Should you decide to go Bendix, the upgrade isn't hard to do ... once you've assembled the parts
"All" you have to do is find a Bendix brake equipped 1-ton in the junk yard and take everything from the backing plates out (including the backing plates). Easy bolt up job. Hard part is assembling all the parts.
John
