The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk mix matching 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton front end parts

i have a spare 52 1/2 ton front end that im thinking about swapping with the 3/4 ton front end that is currently in my 52 so that i can adapt a 5 lug hub with disc brakes to match the 5 lug nova rear. My question is what parts can i reuse from the 3/4 ton front end (ie draglink, tie rods and steering linkage). The previous owner rebuilt the 3/4 ton front end so everything is pretty new and in smooth working order but i want to swap to the 1/2 ton front so i can add front discs. I have the 1/2 ton axle down to the beam and spindles at the moment and once i get enough cash in my truck fund and the weather gets a bit nicer id like to get out and work on it.

Every thing from the tie rod back should work..I believe the steering arms at the spindle are heavier than the 1/2 ton or at least they are drilled for larger bolts.

yup, when i got home from work today i got out the measuring tape and took some measurement and it should bolt right up in place of the 3/4 ton axle and all the steering linkage measures the same, bolt holes on the spindles that the linkage bolts to is exactly the same down to the size of the bolt holes and space apart from each other. Im going to hold on to the linkage i took off the 1/2 ton axle just incase, but looks like i won't have to use it.

Thanks for the help.


Also what does 5 on 4-3/4" lug pattern (from this kit: http://www.classicparts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=71-975W5) mean. How do they figure that out, id like to know so i can see what the rear (from a chevy nova) is. Thanks again!!!

If the rear is from a Nova its either a 4-lug or a 5 x 4.75. Five lugs on a 4.75 inch circle which was the common Chevy car pattern for many years.

5 x 5, and now 5 x 100 (metric) are other common Chevy patterns, neither ever used on a Nova.

then it has to be a 5 x 4.75 lug pattern, thats good, then it will match the disc brake kit which is a 5 x 4.75 lug pattern as well. Better than having 5 lugs in the rear and 8 in the front. Thanks!!!

what year nova? the early ears (pre 74') are really too narrow, 75'-79 nova/71'-81 camaro,T.A. work great in AD trucks

I wish i knew, the previous owner put it in

I am looking to put disc brakes on a 3/4 ton 1951 chevy truck. I would like to keep the 8 lug pattern. Do you have any ideas?

Thanks.

Several people have done it, but its still a do it yourself project. More searching here should produce a couple threads showing how others have done it.

Thanks for your suggestion. Just knowing it can be done helps. In fact, we do have an idea now of how to do it. Will let you know how it progresses. Thanks again.