The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Disk brake conversions

I have heard of front disk brake conversion kits for the smaller trucks that include all the parts needed and requires no modification to the axles. I was wondering if there where any kits like that for a 49 4400. Both of my brake pistons up front are leaking and my drums are bad, plus my master cylinder is bad and the lines are rusting. So i thought if i got to all the trouble of redoing the brake system i would like to atleast put disks in the front. This truck sat for three years before i bought it and it did not have the best mantaince before than either. I would apriciate any help.

That was exactly my logic when I decided to go with disks on my '51 half-ton.

If you do find a "kit" do not expect it to "bolt on in a couple hours"... Expect to find vague instructions, defective parts and hours of modifying things to get them to work... or at least that's what I got from CPP.

Then there's the hidden cost of replacing all four wheels if they rub on the calipers, which almost all do. I guess you could get away with two new wheels if you don't mind carrying two spares.

Have fun.

There is a disc brake option, but it is not a simple or easy one.. well it is somewhat simple in plan, but not easy.

Check out my webshots pictures (link below), there is a folder detailing the conversion to disc brakes for a 1.5 and 2 ton, and I actually put the axles under my 1 ton at the time, now the same axles are under my 2 ton.
This method even uses the correct bolt pattern for 1.5 and 2 ton, so from the outside looks mostly original.

In short I used newer axles (disc for front and rear) and the front axle needs to be cut and narrowed.

Not shown in the pictures is a way to use a new front axle with the original steering. To do this a P30 front axle is what to start with, while I used a 3500HD axle and added PS, otherwise the process is the same.

Hope this helps,
Grigg

I am not to confident in narrowing the axle myself. Is it something i can take to someone else to get that done? The brakes i feel i can do myself. THe narrowing is the only thing i am nervous about.

Would it be easier if i just redo the the drum brakes? and put on a power booster. Would that make them work better and be easier?

I don't know of anyone else who would narrow an axle for you, but I bet you can search and find someone.

I would offer to do it, for expenses and my time, but I am hesitant because of liability. I have no problem making my own, and am 100% comfortable with the strength and quality of the completed axle. Over 10,000 miles later and no problems on either of the two axles I have done, one of the trucks weighs 10,000lb empty, and is heavy on the front.
So, I suppose I could make money doing these conversions by narrowing axles, but not sure about the legal aspects of it?

To answer your second question,
It would be easier to rebuild your original brakes. A dual circuit master cylinder with a booster would be a big improvement, and if you are still running the original engine and axle gears your top speed is very limited, the stock brakes should be fine.

However, I am very glad I have the disc brakes on my truck. They work really well, amazingly well, when the axles with disc brakes were on my one ton truck it was night and day, and I thought the old drums were pretty good... I joked about just looking at the brake pedal to make the truck slow and stop. Then when someone who was not use to good brakes would drive the truck we found ourselves testing the seat belts and wiping nose prints off the windshield. The disc were quite effective.
When I did the conversion the expense of the new/used parts was no more than a good job at rebuilding the original stuff, the time and figuring was more though.
My 2 ton truck will be capable of more than 70 mph, and will have the power for it, so the disc brakes are a great idea. On an otherwise stock truck the disc are not necessary, but nice.

Grigg

It would definitely be easier to redo the existing setup if you can find the parts. However, you'll have much better and more effective brakes if you convert to disk brakes.

Keep in mind that, if you convert to disk, you will have to replace the master cylinder and you may need to install a brake balancer as well (not that expensive) to get the pressure to both systems correct.

I'd poke around on the web some. You can always find someone who scrounged through the junkyards and figured out that a 19 whatever something or other fit perfectly and only needed minor alterations to work.

Grigg's suggestion sounds good, and I'm sure you could find someone local who can shorten the axle for you. Good mechanics can do just about anything if they have pictures and a description.

After seeing the pictures on how you did the conversion I feel like i might be able to do that. I just wondered hoe did you keep the axle perfectly straight while welding? Also the most techincal machine shop tool i have is a drill press, can i do this conversion with that and a grinder? I have an arc welder and the like. also i was wanting to use the same wheel and tire assembly, if posible.

And I know it would only be aproxamate but what would the price be for this conversion? I am just wanting to do the front axle. and the power brake upgrade for now

Thank you for all this help. I am kinda new to the old bolts.

Check out the folder in my webshots with the 61 Ford in it, I narrowed an axle for this one as well, and tried to take better pictures.

The axle is clamped to a flat table for most of the time it is welded, and clamped while it is post heated and then over night as it cools slowly.

A section of sturdy I-beam about 30" long or so would be a good strong-back to clamp the axle to, that's what I'll use next time, I have about a 8" beam with 3/4" flange thickness.
You will also need a good torch with a rosebud to pre and post heat the entire axle for welding. Then a grinder and a good drill press would suffice.

The same 20" wheels and tires can be reused, but a bushing will be needed for the center hole of the wheel, from 4.75 to 5.25, as the center hole diameter changed in the 53 over to 54 model year.

I'll send you a PM this evening about price for me to narrow an axle.

Do you have pictures of your truck?

Grigg

I do not have picture yet but i am hoping to get a few on this site.