The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Front end swap

Hey Bolters,

I have a 37 chevy ton and a half. I am converting it to a everyday user. "not a hot rod" I do need to be able to do highway speeds safely. I have had alot of help with this truck from this site, but one more question. What(if any) is the best or simplest way of converting my trucks front end? Is there another front end that will swap out?

A

Don't know if it works or not, but investigate a 48-53 1/2 ton axle with disc brake conversion.
But you'd loose the 1.5 ton truck capacity and the dual type wheels up front.

For a more substantial axle swap read through this Tech Tip and check out the axle pictures
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/bigbolts/p30swap/

Grigg

IMHO The P-30 swap mentioned by Grigg is the way to go. You end up with many benefits. Disc brakes, bigger king pins, easily replaceable parts, Radial tires and the ability to run a highway speeds without worry. Grigg wrote the article and it's pretty comprehensive. I will be doing this swap to my 1936 GMC. there are some minor differences with the earlier swap. Things like the springs centers are a bit closer. I bought a running, driving 93 P-30 for $900. I believe after all is said and done, the stuff I can sell off of the van should cover the initial cost.
Another thing that is being checked into is finding a later spindle to fit the early axle. Good luck, have fun

I am currently planing a disk brake swap on to my 1936 axle.. i think i have a solid plan of how to do it.. I think with upgraded brakes.. shouldn't have a problem cruzing at highway speeds as long as my wheels balance well

When you say convert do you mean to disk brakes or are you wanting something else?

The assumption in the responses seems to be disks, but I don't find that clearly in your original post.

The axle used on Advance Design trucks easily swaps to Art Deco trucks, but I don't know if it will work as early as your 37. It may be a trivial swap.

Swap to an Advance Design 1-ton or 1-1/2 ton axle and you have the option of Bendix type drum brakes. That may be enough to satisfy your needs, and the axle is the same on a 1-ton and a standard 1-1/2 ton.

A couple of people have worked out dual wheel disk conversions for the 1-ton using that same Advance Design axle. You may find that a reasonable solution.

If your desires are more than just brakes what else are you trying to achieve?

OldSub brings up a good point. If you just want to have better brakes you could also upgrade to a superior product and use a 1936 GMC front end. That would give you big old hydraulic brakes and the whole thing bolts right up. Just happen to know where there is one..LOL