I'm curious if it would be an option to adapt later air brakes form a c60 or something similar to a 2 ton AD axle, similar to the p30 swap, but with bigger and better(air) brakes. Could one of the members with a later truck get measurements to see how feasible it would be? I think if you could swap the whole wheel end onto the older axle, you could upgrade to a newer bolt pattern (get rid of those widowmakers) and get better brakes. Kingpin to WMS, kingpin diameter, and axle thickness from a newer air brake truck would be great. i do understand there were several different front axles available, so getting measurements from as many of those as possible would be good as well. Thanks.
my purpose would be to test the feasability of using brakes from a newer medium duty chevy, as you'd get the updated 10x8.75 lug pattern. i don't know about the rear end, but i think it would be possible to get custom bushings or kingpins to adapt them, if they are reasonably close enough.
I suspect that would work out if you took the whole axle, brakes, steering rods, etc. Same in the rear; start out by determine best wheel bolt pattern.
ED
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
Yes it's possible, a guy on 67-72chevytrucks forum did it with his c50 10x8.75" bolt pattern. GM made trucks with that bolt pattern and optional disc brakes front and rear from ~1982-1992.
So as long as the kingpin diameter of your axle is smaller than the kingpin diameter of the air brake knuckles, you can ream out the axle and make it work. Then it's figuring out steering linkages and brake hoses.
Reaming out axle ends to fit larger king pins, weakens the axle ends. As long as both trucks are about the same gross weight, if the air brake king pins are larger, one can bush up the smaller king pins with steel sleeves, or custom fabricated bushings, which are relatively inexpensive. That is assuming all the other parts play well together.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
Yes it's possible, a guy on 67-72chevytrucks forum did it with his c50 10x8.75" bolt pattern. GM made trucks with that bolt pattern and optional disc brakes front and rear from ~1982-1992.
