The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts How do I do the brakes?

I own a 1 ton, and figured maybe the "big guys" can help me as I cannot find anything for a 8 lug. I can stop Thing with his e brake. But his brake pedal flopps around on the floor and is disconnected. I want to put disc on the front, but dont know how to, and rebuild his rear brakes. But first of all I need to know where to find 8 lug parts! And THEN what????

One of the cool things about a 1-ton is that you get to enjoy figuring out your own way to resolve challenges like this one.

There are several 8-lug trucks running around with disk brakes on the front, including one guy (oldblue?) who has described the process in great detail here and another that I know is a 1-ton described in detail on OldGMCTrucks.com.

The 1-ton used Dodge rotors on the stock hubs and spindles, and he made his own caliper brackets.

Another guy, Ken Brown, who I've not seen post here for quite a while, has designed and started to manufacture some caliper brackets just for this conversion. I haven't seen that he has finished the project but catching up with him might be worthwhile. And difficult, he is a busy guy.

I think your biggest challenge in restoring the original brakes is getting good drums. If you can solve that part, the wheel cylinders can be rebuilt, new lines run, and the master cylinder rebuilt or replaced.

However if there is a source of new drums for this truck I'm not aware of it. I think a '53 1-ton has Bendix brakes instead of Huck, but I'm not sure. Bendix are probably easier to find, but still a challenge.

Are you restoring to original or working toward an original looking driver? Being clear about that can make a lot of difference how you approach some of these problems.

I want it as original as possible. I may do "small" things like a CD player in glove box type stuff. But the majority, I want restored, or upgraded to a safer ride. I want to move the gas tank to the bed, but keep it on the original side, umm, brakes. OH and guys...I live in the mountains, so STOPPING IS A MAJOR ISSUE!

One of the tricks in brake upgrades is making them fit behind the original wheels. If I remember correctly that's the hardest part of this situation.

Good brakes are very important, and even more so on a truck that can easily carry a big load. Loaded the brakes are much more important!

Well guys, I got the brakes done. Re done all the original stuff there. Still not discs, but they have stopping power...as of NOW...I will post (if alive) when they go out on me! Thanks so much for all of the help! Beers are on me!

I drove my 52 1 ton with stock manual brakes for a few years. They really are pretty good, nothing to complain about. I then switched to disc front and rear, and am glad I did.
With stock gearing, a 6 cylinder, and some common sense and forethought you will be fine with the stock brakes.

Grigg