The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 49 one ton

I'm making a small camper out of a 1949 one ton Chevrolet milk truck...I'll use it to haul my small parts to the shows I work.....It'll beat staying in a motel room...I've got engine and trans and rear axle figured out but does anyone make a disc brake conversion for the original one ton straight axle or has anyone ever done a conversion? also will the power steering conversion listed a CPP work on the one ton...?.....thanks..

Eugene,

Thanks for the question. Hopefully, when everyone gets their shoveling done, they can come in and answer your questions. I can only guess at answers, but hopefully, the experts can answer authoritatively.

Regards,
John

The front disc brake conversion for 3800's are a recurring topic. Use the Search tool to find and read the various posts. For the most part, there doesn't seem to be an existing kit, but most usually fabricate something up themselves.
I don't know about the power steering, but you could ask in the HiPo forum.

This guy did. Follow the link. I'm intrigued. Not sold, but would be a nice upgrade. May see if I can build the mounting plates for my plasma CNC table some day when I get bored.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=647049

I thought someone was selling them in the Swap Meet section here a few months ago if not still?

Here you go guys...

http://www.thehollisterroadcompany.com/Discbrakeconverion.html

This guy has been selling this stuff for a little while now...

Hope the link works out for you..

MikeC

P.S. I am converting my 1 ton into a 1 /2 ton due to the ease of getting parts and pieces...resale is a lot easier too...

Not to get too far off topic...
But personally I can't make sense of adapting 1/2 ton stuff to a 1 ton for "resale value". And I certianly can't understand it if you plan to genuinely use the truck for a truck.
Not saying you can't or shouldn't do it if you want to for your own reasons. However in the process you'll made a truck a fair amount heavier empty and much longer than a 1/2 ton, not likely to appeal to the crowd looking for a real 1/2 ton. Conversely it won't appeal to anyone looking for a 1 ton to actually use (unless priced right to convert back to 8 lug). Mainly because you can fit a whole lot of stuff and weight in a 9' bed, more than you'd want over 1/2 ton suspension.

I've been actively looking for a good 1 ton AD pickup myself the past few months and while not rare it is certianly hard to find a good one at a good price, they bring decent money for what they are as they are. Not sure I'm seeing comparable very good 1/2 tons sell for more than a similar original clean 1 ton, though I'm not looking that close at the 1/2 tons. I have noticed that alone any sort of weird modifications from independent front axle swaps to V8's seem to hurt the value compared to a stock or more or less clean vehicle. With the exception of the thoroughly and well executed "hot rod" sort of 1/2 tons but who knows if they ever get the high asking prices, and likely won't see again all the money they actually have tied up in building the vehicle.

Back on topic,
If you want disc brakes for your 1 ton there are a few options and considerations, some searching and reading to do to find the solution that suits your needs and ability.
If you want disc brakes for a 1/2 ton that is well documented.

Grigg

Well I was all jacked up about this until I read the entire thing and clicked on the link to buy it and read the line "for 1947 to 1955 Chevy GMC 3600 and 3800 single rear wheel trucks". SHOOT!

[i][/i][u][/u]

For dual wheel front disc brakes check out this thread and info:
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=725027#Post725027
I do not know the WMS to WMS measurement on a 1 ton AD dual wheel truck... can you measure?
But using a 2 ton axle beam and later model P30 spindles with 8 lug rotor/hub would net you a WMS to WMS of 72.5" as seen in the 3rd post of that thread.

Grigg

Sorry, but no. I am brand new and the truck isn't even here yet. Being shipped still. I just know that if available, I will eventually want disc all the way around my 53 3800 dually flatbed. After I actually have it that is. If for no other reason than parts availability for the stock setup and the desire to pull a tractor on a trailer with it someday.

Larry W.

"I do not know the WMS to WMS measurement on a 1 ton AD dual wheel truck... can you measure?"


Grigg,

When I actually get the truck I WILL try to get this measurement for you as I see it is missing from the article.

Thanks for the link.

Larry W.