The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1937 chevy 1.5 ton dually - disc brake conversion

Hi everyone,

My brakes need massive overhaul and I noticed that a US site "Chevs of the 40s" has a disc brake conversion, has anyone done this, my truck when restored will be a everyday drive and cart fully loaded twice a week, I can get the master cyclinder resleeved here but would that work with disc brakes if converted over ?

Do they offer them for a 1.5 ton or a dually?
I suspect they are for a 1/2 ton, you should find out for sure.

Grigg

Thankyou Grigg,

I have only just started and I am trying to feel my way around, I will check to see that anything regarding braking will fit my 1.5 ton, it's a long way from here be a bit hard to take them back.

thanks again

Michael

OK,
With that cleared up..

You don't really have an easy option to get disc brakes and keep your 1.5 ton rating and dual wheels.

You may gather a few ideas from this Tech Tip http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/bigbolts/p30swap/

Swapping axles is one way.
Designing and fabricating your own disc brake kit is another.

Grigg

I think Grigg is right on with the axle swap advice. I have a 1937 1.5 ton and I put a 1 ton (Corp 14 full floater)in the rear. Was the easiest swap ever - the leaf springs centering pins dropped right into the 1985 chevy 1 ton axle. The dimensions never changed in 70 years. If your running a stock drive train you will have a drive shaft issue. I have a small block and turbo 400 trans in mine.

Hope this helps.
Jeff

Thanks very much guys.

michael

Body guy, are you saying that you kept the leaf springs from the original '37 and it fit right onto the '85 1ton axle? Please say yes!!!

Since I found it hard to believe their kit would support a 1-1/2 ton I went and looked it up.

Amazingly it clearly says


Chevs of the 40's Brake Kit

So that being a little hard to believe I decided to look up the axle and spindle for a '37 Chevy 1-1/2 ton to compare with lighter trucks and cars.

The axle is bigger, the kin pin is larger and the spindle is larger on the 1-1/2 ton truck.

Either they ask exactly what you are using the kit on and have a version for the larger truck, or they don't recognize that these larger trucks are out there and getting hot rodded. I'm disappointed because I've always found Chevs of the 40's to be a good outfit. In this case I think they need to rewrite their product descriptions.

Axle and spindle specs

canuk,

Yes - I used the original 37 1.5 ton leafs and just got new U bolts. I even left on the factory helper springs.

Jeff

Oh - I also used the original bottom axle plate from the 37.

Very nice. I'm hoping this will work on mine. Does it track alot wider?

Thankyou for the input, I have emailed 'Chev's of the 40's' and let you know. We don't have as many avaliable spares over here so I might be best to reco the drums.

I would love to see some of Bodyguys truck pics, where are they it might help with other parts of my project.

thanks again.

Aussie Truck I've been having an email dialog with a vendor over motor parts that leaves me a little frustrated. He keeps responding to my queries but the responses almost scream that he didn't really read the question.

I'll be interested in what Chevs of the 40's tells you, but if they say it will work, I'd suggest either sending them a photo of the wheel and hub or the spindle dimensions and asking if they are sure.

I have a GM 14-bolt under my 1-ton also, and it was a simple bolt-in operation. However I bought a '49 1-ton for parts and the 14-bolt was already installed under it.

14-bolt rears came in exactly two widths. I think 63 inches and 67 inches WMS to WMS. You probably want a 63 inch though its not hard to convert one to the other.

There is lots of good 14-bolt info here.

There are a surprising number of rear ends that will interchange on 3/4 ton and larger because a 34" frame width became standard so that truck bodies would interchange between truck makes....except for Dodge. They live in their own world and have an odd frame.

To complicate matters, an AD 3/4 ton and larger has a 36" wide frame. Some later axles still interchange, and those that won't it's not hard to remove and position the spring pads where you need them.

Then later on as you say 34" is pretty much standard for all bigger trucks.

Grigg

Thanks for the great link!
Couple things to clarify though:

They came in a couple widths, check about 9/16 of the way down the page (Steve's link above)for explanations.
We're most interested in the dual wheel axle used under a "cab and chassis" truck with 63.5" wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface.

This same width could be assembled from a single wheel truck axle with dual wheel hubs installed, however the brake backing plate flanges welded on the axle will be in the wrong place.

Grigg

http://s977.photobucket.com/albums/ae259/warkin75/

Hey Guys,
This is the first time I have tried photobucket so I think the above is the correct link to pics of my 37. I'll try to get some more when I get a chance - its a work in progess.

Jeff

Normally I don't care for modifying larger trucks of the 30's, but this one looks really sharp. It is really tastefully done and looks like quality work. Keep the photos coming.

BODYGUY Looks nice, I'm going for the mid cream colour with black fenderss/wheel arches and timber stock crate/ stake bed using local aussie red hardwood, thats the plan anyway. Done anything on the inside ?

i know this is an old thread, but i would love to see bodyguys pictures but it says there unavailable, any help would be great, im starting the same project a 37 chev 1 1/2 ton master.

bricklayer, he has not been on the site since 09/28/13 03:25 PM

thanks

I have 37 1.5 ton looking for better gear in rear end, would like to keep original but 40mph is not enough

I am still providing disc brake kits for the 1 1/2 and 2 ton trucks.

Olds 230? Will it pull a higher gear? D-70 and -80 with 5/10 bolt pattern are available, disc brakes, too. 2 ton front axle I beam will hold disc brake hub/spindle.

Ed