The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 4-5-6 Chevy Trucks question

I picked up a 64 C10 fleetside short bed a few months back. A prior owner had transplanted a small block and Muncie 4-speed into it and apparently decided that an emergency brake was an unnecessary luxury. The only part of the e-brake system left is the rear cables and whatever is inside the rear hubs.

I did some digging and found a company called 4-5-6 Chevy Trucks in the Kansas City area and started talking with Tony (apparently the owner) about parts to get a working e-brake back. My first contact with him was in late March.

We went back and forth several times with questions and pictures, while I tried to understand what pieces would be needed to get me going (stopping) again, mostly via email, although he and I spoke over the phone on 4/22. In that call, we kind of got sideways with each other and he ended up hanging up on me. Later that day, I sent him a long email apologizing and recognizing that he is apparently a 'purist restorer' while I'm just trying to get something that works. He responded the next day with a list of the parts I would need and a request for a couple of more bits of info, which I provided a couple of days later after the rains quit.

I haven't heard a word from him since then. Has anyone else had any experience working with this company? Is my experience unique/atypical, or do others have trouble with this company?

And does anyone have a different source for all the bits and pieces to restore an e-brake on my truck without having to spend hours on my back under a string of trucks in junkyards while I try to find all the different bits and pieces?

Thanks!

Tony used to frequent this forum. I have not seen him post much lately.
I doubt your experience with Tony is unique.
I can't send you a PM because you don't have enough posts on your Stovebolt account yet.

I think your best solution to get a functional eBrake will be to convert/upgrade to the 1966 eBrake version. GM changed the eBrake on the 1966 trucks. The 1966 version eliminates the cross member that was merely used to hold a lever.

A salvage yard might have a 1966-1972 truck for the parts. They are also available from vendors.

Lugnuts sounds like your man. Make contact. He has a 65 C10.
I have a 60 GMC.

Anytime you encounter someone who is having a bad day or you just don't communicate with, it's best to move on. Trying to get parts that you don't really know what you need would be difficult on the phone. Mail order junk yard parts is not a good idea. It's a recipe for a mix-up.
You won't get your parts by asking for "bits and pieces" for your ebrake. Figure out what you need and the proper names and go looking for them. Ask here if you don't know the names. The brake system/park system is fairly simple. Some may be available at a auto parts store. As you know, basically, you pull on a lever and thru rods, brackets, clevis, cables you end up pulling on the two cables equally. I don't know what you know so...I would find an actual 64, crawl under, take a bunch of pics. Take pics under dash and then find the parts. Books, internet and blogging are good for part names and advice but no substitute for an actual truck to study. That is what I would do FWIW.

If you see looking for parts as a waste of time/PITA, instead of fun, you and I are different on that point.

It's good you have the cables and the drum hardware. After you see what all rods and cables you need, you may find some guides and such are still on your truck. PO probably had an interference problem with motor/tranny swap. Don't see why he removed the under dash handle/lever.

E brake systems are all pretty basic- - - -either levers or cables or a combination of both that mechanically apply the rear brakes, or some type of system to hold the driveshaft and keep it from turning. Since you've still got about half of the system in place, adapting some sort of handle or pedal to fit inside the cab shouldn't be all that difficult. Just be sure whatever you use has enough mechanical advantage to put a sufficient amount of pull on the cables. An inadequate or unsafe e-brake system is probably worse than having none at all.
Jerry

4-5-6 has been very hard to get a hold of over the last 2 yrs. Good guy, but has not returned many calls or emails. If I ever get out to Kansas City I am going to stop and shake his hand, but until then I am keeping a distance.

Noticed this link below. Has a parking brake bracket listed. Maybe gone, but they may be able to take some other pictures.
http://www.aspenautoaz.com/60-66-chevy-truck-parts.html

Aspen Auto is about 20 min from me. I have purchased parts from him. Seems fair and honest.

1966 Chevy truck park brakes and later style, layout

Yours is a short bed so you will need the shorter cable that goes from each drum and loops back up to the front under the cab.

-W

Follow the link below to my FB page. I posted 2 pics of my '65 short bed emergency brake setup. I don't have the cab on it so they are very clear pics. I hope this link works...I've never tried this before. If it doesn't let me know and I can send via email. Regards, Janine

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203495516705477&set=pb.1740556749.-2207520000.1495914658.&type=3&size=2048%2C1536

Lugnutz is the real deal. And the folks on the Stovebolt site are the best when it comes to helping keep you going with your truck.
Tony could of had a bad day, and I know he's not the easiest to talk with, from my experiences with him in the past. But, again, the people here will help you and owning your truck and working on it and enjoying it is immeasurable. Kept me out of the loonie bin.
Tramp

I have gotten stuff from Tony and he was always great to deal with. I know he has always been a hands on do most everything himself, sort of guys so I am guessing he is really just super busy or he could even have some health issues. Also keep in mind how wore out one can get dealing with all the tire kickers. If you have ever sold anything you know how everyone always things you have tons of time to deal with all the haggle stuff like these shows on TV. Then you got people that ask questions just to ask more questions.

tonys a good guy -good guy - good guy - all of us are differant or wierd in some way !!!!! when ever i stop by tonys shop -i am totally amazed by his work & parts !!! last time i was there he had a new paint booth -not a cheap project ?? i just like to walk in his parts area -every thing is there -you could literally lock all doors & build a truck there !!!!!! he was finishing up a new c-20 truck for a guy VERY NICE -the owner was almost able to see it go together daily and drive it home in just a few days ! i like tonys style of trucks ,all almost stock looking -all new chassis stuff -no cut/dropped /sectioned stuff -very drivable & staying in style for yrs to come - them star wars style trucks style come & go- and in most cases -drive & ride bad!! anyway if you are in his area - a stop there is a must !!

I ordered $1,200.00 worth of parts from Tony in February.No parts ,won't return calls or emails.Complete scam artist.

I've read similar stories on other forums. Money spent but no parts, no refunds, no communication. I would be furious.
I have personally not had any problem, but I was selling things to him.

I live in southern Iowa not far from Kansas City. I was told by a few people they have had good transactions with him but knew people that sent money and got nothing from him. I wonder if he would sell face to face?

I have seen a lot of positive feed back on this site and others about Tony. Although I haven't met him it sounds like he is a good guy. Also from looking at his website it looks like he has done some great work. I also have seen quite a few people posting complaints around the internet concerning paying for parts that they have never received. I fall into this category. July of 2016 I purchased and paid up front $3500.00 for a cab. Tony told me 3 months for delivery. Tony quit communicating with me in November of 16 and will not answer my emails or return my calls.

I have a 65 C20 and a 66 C10 which is a frame off resto project that I need a cab for. I am not in a big hurry on the 66 project but I would like to get some communication from Tony on a reasonable date to deliver the cab I paid for. Or send me a refund so I can source one some where else.

I know its a long shot but I write this hoping someone on this forum knows Tony and could reach out to him because he won't respond to me.

Keep us posted.

It has been 4 yrs since I posted my concerns about Tony at 4-5-6 Chevy trucks. I never received the cab I ordered from Tony and he has never reached out to return my money. I did talk to him in December of 2017 and he blamed it on health issues. I understand that his health issues are in the past and he is back doing business as usual. Recently I noticed new posting's from people paying for parts that they have never received. I wanted to update this post in hope that no one else falls prey to this company.

I don’t know where 4-5-6 Chevy Trucks operates out of but you need to contact the State Attorney General’s office Internet Fraud division and start the complaint process. $3500 is a lot of money to just blow it off. He misled you and others I’m sure and needs to be held accountable for his actions. Maybe you have already taken this step, if so let us know. We no longer keep a preferred vendor list on the site.

He’s been on the Facebook forums lately, but I don’t see him trying to attract business.

.


Although Tony appears to be a cordial guy...It seems that he is just not able to live up to the promises he makes.

I can tell you from my own experience that I purchased some parts from them & after 2 months of empty promises I had to file a claim to get my $$ back.

Luckily I used Pay Pal to pay for the parts & Pay Pal did promptly refund my $$.

Looks like I am not the only one.... as this particular company has had a history of negative business dealings & slew of complaints & judgements against them.

https://www.wibw.com/2020/10/02/judge-orders-kck-auto-restoration-company-to-refund-customers/


.

Thanks, MT

"Wyandotte County District Court Judge William Mahone ordered 4-5-6 Chevy Trucks LLC to pay $7,925 in restitution to the consumers after the defendant failed to respond to the AG’s lawsuit and failed to appear in court. He said the judge also ordered the company to pay $60,000 in civil penalties and pay the costs of the attorney general’s investigation. He said the company is not allowed to conduct business in Kansas until the restitution is paid in full."