The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1953 Disc Brake Conversion

I have a 1953 Chevy 3100 I am wanting to convert to front disc brakes. I am keeping it as original as possible. The previous owner attempted to redo the front brakes and now I have parts missing so I figured a disc brake conversion would be the best route to go. I am curious as to what kits the members here have used? I don't have the drums or the original hubs so I am going to need a kit to convert hubs as well. Who has done this and what kit did you use? Thanks everyone!!

Look at phak1 project journal he just upgraded to front discs not to long ago

Thanks for the info. I looked at his journal. It looks like he used the original hubs. I don't have the original hubs. Who ever was into the brakes before me removed the drums and the hubs.

I put this kit on my 58 and have been quite happy with it:

Speedway Motors

The install starts here.

You can buy new aluminum hub kit complete with new roller bearings and new studs which is highly suggested for disc brakes.

Kit is available here.

ABS Power Brake in Orange, CA can provide a complete kit with 6 lug rotors that do not use a separate hub.
I have installed several of their kits and they have worked well. Many of the aftermarket kits do not clear original
wheels. Be sure that whatever kit you get that you designate what wheels you are using.
Fred

I plan on going with aftermarket wheels so I can do away with the old tube and tire wheels. Since I will be going with aftermarket rims (wheels) should I encounter an issue do you think? Thanks for the input!!
John

The original rims do not require tubes and can take radial tires without any trouble.

I had to order new rims that would clear my disc brake calipers. You can read about my dilemma here, and my solution here.

I put a CPP kit on my 50 3100. The truck had 15 inch 60's C10 wheels on it, and those wouldn't clear the calipers up front. I used a pair of 72-~91 Blazer/K10 15" wheels and have no issues.

I am curious as to if any of these sizes would work?

They may work, but without trying them on, there is no guarantee. That was the issue I ran into. None of the manufacturers/ venders could guarantee any of their rims would fit. Most said buy one and if it doesn’t fit, you could send it back (on my dime).

You may want to rethink the width of the wheel though. It would be fine on the rear but it will effect the steering geometry causing the truck to be squirrley around corners and a bear to steer in a parking lot. My old rims were 15x8” on a stock front end, so I have first hand experience.

I also had 15"x8" which were way too wide to steer properly. They were horrible, in fact.

I went with 16"x6" rims and the handling is perfect. I would go with 5" rims if I were to do it again but I would not use anything wider than 6".

Have you installed the wheels that you bought from Wheel Smith? If so, how is their fitment?

Wheel Smith sent me a rim with the hub pressed in but not welded. I bolted it on with a couple of lugnuts and located the rim to where it had plenty of clearance. I measured the backspace, then sent it back to be completed. That was about three weeks ago, so I’m still waiting for the completed set.

What size of tire will you be able to run on that rim Phak1

I am going to use my existing tires 235-70R-15” for now but intend on buying 235/225-75R-15” Diamond Back wide white walls.

SO I bought aftermarket hubs since I didn't have the original hubs. One thing I didn't consider though, can I use the original size wheel studs? The new hubs didn't come with studs installed so I am now curious as to if I should use the original length since I will be using after market wheels? What are your thoughts?

Did you get the new Disc Brake conversion kit yet? My kit came with studs. A bit longer so they account for the spacer they also sent.

Feel kind of stupid. Found the wheel studs and other hardware in a separate box.

SO I ran into a hiccup. It seems my 1953 Chevy truck has had the axle switched out at one time. I took off the drum to start the disc brake switch over and found pre 1952 Hucks style brakes. One of the posters on the forum pointed out "...the lower bolt holes for the backing plate and steering arms are a different size (7/16" vs 1/2") on the earlier Huck brake units and may require drilling out to fit your disc brake conversion kit. Before you start assembly, check the holes and redrill as needed...". Has anyone ran into this issue before? The kit I bought was for 47-53 style trucks so I am assuming that the kit I have is the correct kit. I am hoping that the switch over is a simple bolt in place.

Aside from the two lower holes needing to be larger, the axles are the same. Drill them out and you’ll be good to go.

Check out the parts for sale. Someone has new tires and rims for sale. Good price

Those original rims for sale won’t fit a disc brake conversion. It may with a larger spacer, but I have no experience with that. Also the spacer that comes in a CPP kit is only 3/16” wide so any wider spacer would require new longer wheel studs.

I just installed disc brakes on my 1952 and added another 3/16 shim. The original rim clears with the extra shim and the stud are still long enough.

I also had huck brakes and used new CPP hubs.