The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Rear end dilem

I bought a 52 gmc and found that the drive shaft was cut and the chassis was all cut up also. Bought a 1950 Chevy Chassis with entire drive line and all the brake stuff, so I could use the rear end, drive shaft and the chassis from the 50 for my 52 build.
Here's the issue. As in my previous post I wanted to know what was up with the different brakes from the 50 to 52. 50 Huck brakes-52 Bendix brakes.
So I would like to know if I could put the 52 Bendix brakes on the 50 rear end. OR
Would it be better to take the drive shaft from to 50 and put it on the 52 rear end. OR just rebuild the Huck brakes on the 50 rear end and call it a day. Haven't found Huck drums or shoes yet, only wheel cylinders.
I'm kind of leaning towards the last option, if there is options at all. All input is greatly appreciated as I am starting to FREAK OUT!!!

Look at it this way. Huck brakes had been in service on millions of vehicles and they worked well.
Bendix brakes were an improvement but not a necessity for previous years.
I6 engines were eventually replaced by the V8 but I6 engines still work well today.

If you plan to do frequent expressway driving at 70+ MPH then I would invest some $$$ and convert the front to disc brakes, ditch the Huck and Bendix.
If you plan to cruise around town, back roads or do farm work, the original brakes are just fine. Keep that $$$ in the billfold.

I converted my 50 3100 to Bendix because my spindles were bad and good 52 parts were available.
It economically made better sense.

The rear axle I would want is the one that is in good condition (gears, bearings etc.).
Rear axle gears and bearings can run into a ton of money.

I can relate. If I was 40 years younger the discs and a big ol motor would rock, except I wouldn't have the $ to do it. I also think if it was good then, it's good enough now.. So like my 67 GTO, the drum brakes will work just fine. Not gonna be hot rodding and I can use the $ for other goodies. Going to stay with the Hucks on the rear. Paul

I would go for the Bendix brakes. You can pull the shaft and pinion along with the tube from the ‘50 rear end. I’m in the process of swapping out a Huck rear end for the Bendix. I’m doing it because the Huck has a bad pinion and 411:1 versus 355:1 Bendix rear.

Way back then, our front Oak tree came down and crushed my '53. Bought the '50 which was all Hucked up. I jacked up both rigs and transferred the entire drive train from the '53 over to the '50, including front axle assembly. Never looked back. Yeah for Bendix.

Huck brakes are OK, but they have a nasty habit of wearing out only one brake lining while the other one on the same hub looks brand new. Back when Dad ran a shop in Nashville, he had to watch some of his mechanics closely, or they would only replace the worn shoe and hide the other one. After a few jobs done that way, they would have enough new brakes to do a side job with no parts cost, or do a brake job on their own vehicle!
Jerry