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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 401 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 401 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,276 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,276 | Looking good Fred. We have to get together some time and share project progress stories and ideas. The Bulldog has a completely rebuilt front axle suspension steering and brakes since you saw it last. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 103 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 103 | fred
what did you torque the axle bolts to? the 4 under the axle on each side
thanks
Chris
51 chevy coe | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 | | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 401 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 401 | Thanks Grant, yes we should get together. Haven't seen you in a while. Chris, I haven't torqued them yet and Mike B, that's a great link to that information. Thank you. Now to get my hands on a torque wrench that big. LOL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 103 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 103 | Fred,
Thanks much for the link.Important info.
Chris | | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 4 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 4 | I'd like to know more about your axle and disc brake setup. I'm rebuilding a 1948 1.5T farm truck, and would like to upgrade from what is under it now. All brake cylinders are beyond rebuild, so I'm looking at some $$ any way I look at it. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 401 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 401 | I used axle that was already set up with disc brakes. It came out of a late model HD3500 dually. The spring pads were about 3/8" different from the original so I just widened the alignment hole about 3/16" on either side. The pad was also set up for a wider leaf so the U bolts wouldn't quite fit. Just due to the corners of the pads basically. So I cutoff to the corners of the pads and it works fine. I had a local hose shop custom make a hose that connected the original brake line to the new axle. The new flex line was made longer to accommodate the different mounting location. I did not need to do any mods for the shocks, as those are integrated with the U bolts and frame mounted. Now with the disc brakes and a taller set of gears, going from 6.17s to 4.63s, I'll have a better ride and easier cruise.
And offtopic, I'm putting in a TH400 from and RV and I just acquired, for $50 (yes Fifty), a scrap Stepvan with the disc brakes in the front that has the 5-10 lug pattern and 19.5 wheels. I'll use the front spindles and brake hardware to convert the front brakes to disc as well just like Grigg's Tech Tip. Which is brilliant by the way. The local spring shop will custom make a set of bushings to match the kingpins off the bus and the spindles off the Stepvan. Then just hook up a brake line or two and that's done too. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 667 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 667 | Lookin' Good! --- I see we went the same route (Dana 80HD) on rear axles for our buses. I wound up getting a new set of lighter rear springs in the hope of softening the ride a bit. Only difference on the front is that I am going to try out Randy Domeck's disk kit. I am looking at mounting the Hydroboost & Master from the same C3500 under the floor since I have no room left under my narrow-nosed '46 hood.
I'm guessing you have a lot more room than I do so what are you doing in that department?
Last edited by Tango; 01/05/2015 11:58 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 401 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 401 | I just rebuilt the original springs for the rear. It still sits kind of tall, but later this year I'd like to get wheel adapters and put on some modern 22.5 wheels and low pro tires. That should make it look good. So knowing that I did not do anything to change the springs and have to spend the money all over again. I am going to use the Hydrovac I have in there that has been rebuilt and fabricate a bracket to accomodate a more modern larger bore MC. I think with the suggestions I got from some guys here about the HV was good info so I'm going to keep it in and make sure I have it set up right. | | |
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