The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 52 3/4 ton front axle options

Finally back to working on my 52 3/4ton, trying to stay close to original. King pins were shot so a purchased a kit to rebuild them and found out the axle was worn also and no one makes a 10 over kit any more. So was wondering what other axles might work. Was also wondering about an upgrade to the brakes but was told there are no options for my truck (1/2 ton axle wont fit and disc kits only fit 1/2 ton, I was hopeful that the caliper braket would fit since I have some 12"x1-1/4 rotors of a 78 3/4 ton van that look like the would work)

was also told I should have never bought the truck which kind of surprised me coming from someone who specializes in selling parts for these old trucks

A 1/2 ton axle will fit your truck fine. You will have to use 1/2" dia. u-bolts rather than the 9/16" u-bolts that are on your 3/4 ton now.

You can also upgrade your stock front brakes by going with a Bendix setup from a '53 to '59 3/4 or one ton truck.

Thanks, I was thinking the 1/2 ton axle would fit but when I was told that it would not by someone that knows more than me... kinda made me fell bad. Feel better now, more options

I will confirm, a 1/2 ton axle WILL fit your 52 3/4 ton truck with no problems. I have first hand knowledge as I personally did it to my 52 3/4 ton truck. As stated by ghostrider you will need the 1/2" diamter u-bolts.

Doing this allowed me to install a 5 lug disc brake kit as well as a power steering kit with no problems.

Was this some customer service phone rep or the owner of the company? I don't currently own a 3/4-ton but have several of the 1-ton trucks and love them.

I really dont want to bash anyone So I'll just let it pass for now, Mainly just wanted to point out how "what" someone says can bring the other down. I'll repay the favor by not buying from them for now, but relize I may have just caught him on a bad day or he was kinda busy (one other person in the store, but he did ask what I needed...) So I'll forgive and forget eventually. Worst part is I went in there to buy what it would take to make my truck brakes work based on what he said (Either the parts to make the original style brakes work or the parts to make the 57 donor brakes work on my truck (already have the axle off a 57) so He saved me $200+ that I'll spend at the Midwest Truck Nationals:)

Oh and on the driving of a 3/4 ton truck, I've only driven mine around the block a couple of times but still enjoyed every moment of it. From the relization that 1st gear (in a 4-speed) is so low that it will move the truck with great ease even if you left blocks in front of the tires (oops), or the thumbs up you get from neighbors as you drive by, to the purr of that old 216 inline six, or the total strangers that come up to you in a parking lot wanting to talk about the truck and the plans you have for it.

That's the spirit.

This is my third AD 3/4-ton and I love 'em. Some of the parts, particularly brakes are getting harder to find compared to 1/2-ton stuff. But there are still lots of stuff available over the counter at your FLAPS. I too love it when people want to talk trucks, ask questions or just wave or give a thumbs up. Enjoy!