Ghostrider hit the nail on the head. If you're putzing around in a rural situation the stock binders will do very nicely. If you're planning on urban or over-the-road travel you'd better consider the upgrade to at least manual front discs. I tried this route and it left me woefully short on braking potential.
I went with the 5 lug CPP bracket kit, purchased my components seperately from local vendors, and noted that there was much information that wasn't disclosed but became obvious during the install on my 54 truck. Some of them are:
1. Upgrading to discs is going to warrant replacing the entire brake line system; all hard lines and rubber flex lines. The average 50 year old stock stuff just won't handle the increased pressures.
2. The 5 lug on 4-3/4" bracket kit lets you use over-the-counter parts from your local vendors. The 6 lug kit has you using pricey mail-order parts from a distant vendor, especially the ball to roller bearing kit. Would really hate to sit beside the road waiting on a UPS truck to deliver my replacement bearings in 5-7 business days.
3. The 5 lug conversion will allow you to use 15" rims but you will wind up purchasing new rims as a 4" backspacing (which is required for centering and clearance) aren't readily available from most j-yards.
4. If you buy a full kit at $700. you will have close to $1000.00 in the conversion by the time you upgrade the old style tie rod and ends, lines, and M/C mount brackets. This is with you doing all of the install yourself. Same goes for adding power steering.
5. If you have the impression that upgrading is simply a matter of "bolting on" the components and having a working system, you're sadly misinformed. You'd better be ready to make some additional modifications to your particular setup. "Improvise, adapt and Overcome"
The point I'm trying to make is that just like Woody, I found that there is much more to the average "upgrade" than appears on the surface. Before you plunk down your hard-earned cash you'd better "assume" that there will be pitfalls and be ready to address them. Don't count on the vendors to give you anything but the "big picture." If something sounds "easy" you'd better refer to the "bolt" and get the details before you jump into an upgrade.
Dave
