The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun brake kits for 1 tons

I have seen power disc brake kits for 1/2 ton trucks with 5,6 lug wheels. Does anyone make a kit for 8 lug trucks like 3/4,and 1 tons? I have a 59 3800 with 8 lug wheels that i would love to change to power disc. Do late model 3/4 ton chevys (c-20,30) brake parts cross to the 50's trucks at all? Does anyone make a kit to use these 70"s-80"s brake and axle parts for conversion to 50's trucks?? also the truck has 17.5" wheels and tires. Will later model (c-20,30) 8 lug wheels be the same pattern, so i can get some radial tires. Oh yea one last thing, this truck has a 9 foot stepside bed, does anybody know who sells parts for a 9 foot bed, (wood, metal bed strips etc) thanks everyone

www.classicperform.com for your brakes...
golden-state-parts.com has your bed parts

CPP does not have any disc brake kits for 3/4 or 1 ton trucks, not that I could find on their website, and not that I have heard of.

Several folks are inventing disc brake kits for these trucks, do a search and you will find many post.
these are some of the better ones: https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=1&Number=71226&Searchpage=1&Main=10902&Words=%2B3%2F4+%2Bton+%2BDisc+%2Bbrake&topic=0&Search=true#Post71226
another: https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=1&Number=65161&Searchpage=2&Main=10099&Words=%2B3%2F4+%2Bton+%2BDisc+%2Bbrake&topic=0&Search=true#Post65147
another: https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=1&Number=65442&Searchpage=2&Main=10144&Words=%2B3%2F4+%2Bton+%2BDisc+%2Bbrake&topic=0&Search=true#Post65434

Grigg

A guy named Mark in California was talking about marketing a kit, but hasn't mentioned it in over a year so I suspect he gave it up.

Ken Brown, who used to frequent the Stovebolt has made up some caliper brackets and if you can get him to stand still long enough might be able to offer a parts list also.

Others have made the conversion by figuring it out for themselves. Grigg's first link is the solution I like best, and he includes all the part numbers in his photos.

Another guy over on OldGMCTrucks.com did one a couple years ago that looked pretty good, using Dodge rotors and the original ball bearing hubs.

Some time I plan to do a similar conversion on a '54 GMC 1-ton dually. When I finally do it I'll post pictures and parts lists.

Given that only a few dozen people at most will even do this conversion I can't imagine anyone actually making and selling a kit. There just would not be enough money in it to justify the development costs.

Another option is to use the I-beam front axle from a step van with disc brakes. I have seen a number of these with dual wheels, but have not noticed one with singles yet.

If I get around to working on my 1 ton again I will swap a newer I-beam with disc brakes under it, just as I have done on my other trucks. I feel this is a very clean and reliable solution, but it does take some work to narrow the axle.

Grigg

Thanks for the help everyone. I had a feeling that nobody has a kit to do this. I'm going to hit the hotrod nationals in louisville this summer and get a chance to talk to most of the aftermarket brake makers, and see what they have. This is going to be my first truck rebuild, i'm a old bike builder mostly, so i'm sure i'll be hitting this site for info alot. thanks in advance for all the help!

I installed a booster/MC upgrade on a 55 3600 Dually along with new shoes, cylinders, lines, & drums. We used a 8" dual diaphram booster & a dual MC to supplement the 12" brakes. It has suprisingly good brakes. The weaksness in the original system was the MC. A hydrovac is also another good option. I'm sure you will find as we did that the disc conversion can be cost prohibitive.
Fred