Will I do recall meeting you some time ago. Nice to see you here on the Stovebolt.
Now that I understand what you are doing, I'd offer a some other options.
Several guys have managed to adapt disk brakes to the stock front axle on 3/4- and 1-ton '47 to '59 trucks. One of the best documented is here on the Stovebolt by OlBlue:
OlBlue Disk Brake Conversion Another approach to look at is what MobileOrtho and others have done using a '72 to '87 pickup IFS crossmember.
MobileOrtho's IFS Swap. You usually see this done using 1/2-ton stuff, but the 3/4- and 1-ton stuff is very similar.
I'm currently debating the first two approaches for my '54 GMC. Since the two affect the approach to steering, I'm making sure I know the answers to that part too before I get very deep into it.
And a third is what Grigg has done. He narrowed a later straight axle to fit under his truck.
Grigg's Disk Brakes. The welding on this approach is more than I want to attempt.
None of these were performed on a truck as old as yours, but the basic ideas should all be adaptable. I've seen a number of Washington frames somewhat younger than yours that were seriously rusted. Before you invest much effort in your frame you'd want to make sure it won't require a bunch of repair.
