The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Brake upgrade???

I have a 55 GMC with stock brakes. I would like to upgrade the brakes to a dual master and ?? . Do I need to go with disc conversion in the front or would a power brake booster work ok with a drum/drum set up. Not really lookin to go crazy $$$ wise just want a SAFE set up. I lost my brakes on my 55 CHEVY truck once. Wasn t fun.

Thanks

you can buy a kit with a vac booster master cylnder and pedal brakets. you will needs risidual valves

i forgot to add i used mbm products, they are fairly inexpensive ans very good quality

Drums are fine. The only real advantage to running discs is in more of a high performance application where you might be concerned with heat dissipation. At least thats my opinion. They both work fine in the everyday world.

Just my observations...after setting my 54 up with all new brakes including , hard and rubber lines, wheel and dual master cylinders, and good quality shoes, I was ready for the modern highway, or so I thought. Problem was, I was sharing the road with 21 Century cars and drivers who didn't take into consideration that I was running 52 year old technology. "Laying back" and "anticipating stops" didn't work as any hole I opened up was quickly filled with some little machine. It just wasn't safe and that took the fun out of driving.

My solution was a front disc conversion with all the necessary hardware and now driving is a pleasure. If you are driving your truck on a regular basis and navigating with highway traffic, you'd be wise to seriously consider bringing your truck up to a standard where you and your fellow travellers are safe. It will be time and money well spent.

Dave

I agree with Dave as I had the same situation with my 56, trying to drive it everyday is scairy with stock brakes. However, according to your profile you have a 3/4 ton. In my opinion it would be cost prohibitive installing disc conversions on them. The aftermarket guys have 1/2 ton kits so you need a custom made application. The bigger trucks have fairly good brakes stock but the weakness is in the master cylinder. I did a conversion on a 55 3600 dually for a guy, we used an 8" dual diaphram booster with a dual master cylinder. Also new drums, cylinders, lines, hoses, etc. He tows a large boat and competes with the crazies in So Cal.
Fred

They used drums for a darn long time on trucks without any issues. Im not saying either way is a bad choice but my 53' has done wonderful with drums on/off the highway as a daily driver the past few weeks.

i would upgrade (and did as dave-fla54 said)
but
if you're only wanting to re-do a brake master here is one source
http://www.brotherstrucks.com/products.asp?dept=407
there are many sources to choose from.
loosing brakes is ... well not a good thing, a dying engine is another.
good luck,

I have a factory 4x4, so I have to stick with drums. Trying to up the safety factor I bought a set of cross drilled brake drum rotors which in theory will help cool the brakes (from brotherstrucks.com) along with the power brake and dual master cylinder setup. Now I need to figure out the brake lines. I don't know if anyone has kits that drop in or if they need to be bent. I want to make sure the rear brakes are isolated from the front. Also, I have had conflicting advise on the proportional valve for the rear brakes. I'm going with one just in case. Good luck.

Check the search out here. This topic was discussed infinitum just a month or so ago - it included putting front discs on a 3600.