The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 6 bolt to 5 bolt front drum swap

I read an article some time back about swapping the front brake drum on a 6 bolt 47-54 pu with a 5 bolt from a pre 55 chevy car that has a 5 bolt pattern. Does any one know the details about this swap and the year of car to look for? I plan on putting this in a 51-1/2 ton

Dunno about precise details, Alan, but I have heard it is a direct bolt-on swap. Worth a try if you want to keep the drum brakes and have upgraded the rear axle. I believe the shoes, etc. inside will work with the car drums, so it's just a matter of switching hubs/drums. I'm sure someone here has done it and will chime in with some details.

Regards,
Wannabe

I read somewhere long ago you can use 53-54 car drums,backing plates and related parts

Welcome aboard the SBP Allen.

The setup is to use the hubs, drums and backing plate assemblys from a pre '55 passenger car. You have to drill two holes in the backing plate to match the bottom holes in the pickup spindle and make a couple of spacers to go between the spindle and the backing plate. The whole job takes just a few hours.

I came across the ones I put on my '49 almost 30 years ago while digging around in my shop the other day. I upgraded to Camaro disks after an incident involving a steep hill, a stop sign at the bottom and a load of firewood.