The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk disc brakes for my '48 ??

hey, just found this forum and have been reading all evening. Great stuff here.

I've recently purchased a '48 1/2 ton. Original plans were to build a tube chassis and set the the body onto it. After disassembling the truck, I've gained a lot of respect for the thing and have decided I'd like to keep it "pretty much" as is. However, there are some issues that need to be resolved. Brakes and steering are my first concerns. I have a catalog that lists various kits to install Camaro disc brake parts onto the stock spindles. Part of the kit is "bearing adaptors" that replace the stock BALL bearings with Camaro TAPERED ROLLER bearings. The kit looks to be probably 8 bolts, two caliper mounting brackets, and those bearing adaptors. I'm cheap and figure I can build the brackets and probably the adaptors. They appear to be a spacer that moves the inner bearing outward and maybe makes a larger diameter to match the Camaro grease seal. What can anyone tell me about this conversion.

While we're about this---- I'm wanting to go with Camaro stuff-- front discs and rear axle-- in order to use 14 or 15 inch 5 bolt wheels. Is the rear axle the right width? How can I lower the front without having to buy a dropped axle. Not wanting anything radical --- probably 3 inches at most?

I just bought the CPP kit for my '51 half ton.
(It's functionally equivalent to your '48, and uses the same kit.)

It is as you described. Everything in the kit is in the pictures on the Classic Performance website.

In my estimation, 11" Camaro discs will stop a heckuva lot better than a 1951 drum.

I have not installed it yet -- I'm just starting teardown of my truck -- but will answer any questions I can.

On rears, I've got a 12 bolt Nova rear destined for mine. I think these are set up the same as late 60's, early 70's Camaros? If so, your Camaro rear should work fine. Choice of gears will naturally depend on engine, tranny, tire, and purpose. Tell us about the rest of your plans! I6? V8? Street? Rod? Show?

Cheers,
mark.
'51 KY 3100

I based my brake conversion on parts from a vehicle that had about the same gross weight rating because I wanted to be sure my brakes would not be undersize.

For the front disks I used the kit Chevy Duty offers that uses 70's mid-size GM parts. I had a '73 Chevelle wagon I was pulling parts off of. I now have 11" front disks and 11" finned rear drums (complete rear axle) from the wagon.

It stops great. I once towed a loaded trailer with this truck, and the brakes are not up to that, but frankly neither are the brakes on my 70's 1/2-ton pickup if I don't use the brake controller (don't have one on my old GMC).

I've talked with guys who built rather than bought the conversion stuff. Unless you are a machinist with the right tools, making the bearing adapters isn't going to be easy. And making the caliper brackets might require some trial and error.

I think my kit cost $150. I can't imagine you'll actually come out ahead making your own. By the time I converted to a dual master, and replumbed the entire brake system, replaced rotors and calipers and shoes, and dealt with all the little parts I couldn't list, I spend about $700 on the project. The kit wasn't a big part of the cost.

plans for the truck ---- hard to say right now. Not wanting a long term project. Mostly just want to get it on the road.. Certainly not to show. Splash on a "good" paint job, drop in a rebuilt motor/trans, put on safe steering and brakes.


If you can't race it or make love to it, what good is it?