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| | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3 | Howdy all, I've been reading this board for quite a while, but I think I might finally have something worth making a post on.
Right now I am looking at getting a 66 gmc 3/4 ton pickup. I'm not new to old trucks, but I am new to GMC and Chevy, my current rig is an old and very wore out Ford. I love that old Ford, but it has a bad case of "old and tired." So I think for now I'm better off getting another rig that isn't as wore out, and keeping the Ford for a future project.
Overall the truck I'm looking at is in decent shape, some rust, but not too bad, and it will run if we get gas to the carb. There are a few things that concern me though, the first being front drum brakes. Is there any way to easily switch over to a front disk rear drum set up?
Recently I just bought some brand new tires for my ford, they're on 16" 8 lug rims (8x6.5 bolt pattern I think, the tires are LT285/75/R16) Would these rims and tires fit on a 66' GMC 3/4ton? The front tires on it are original, I think it's time for them to go! Not many tires available for 17.5" rims anymore either, 16.5" are bad enough!
I appreciate any advice or input you may have, I'd like to learn all I can about these old rigs.
Sam | | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 | unless you are looking at big improvements, the drum brakes
should be sufficient. I changed mine but it wasn't cheap
for a small improvement in braking | | | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3 | Alright, thanks. The only thing that concerns me about the drums is brake fade, I'd like to use this truck and get firewood, just generally use it as it was intended. The last place I want to have brake fade is coming down an old logging road! Anyone have any issues with them? I think a dual circuit brake system is a must though, can I just take the master off a newer chevy/gmc truck and put it on? (with a proportioning valve from the same truck, of course)
Sam
Last edited by Sam McGrath; 02/14/2011 6:35 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 96 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 96 | Sam, their are threads all through this forum that discuss disc brakes for the 60 to 66 trucks, I used a 91 suburban front crossmember and brake setup on my 66 gmc 1/2 ton. look around in here and you will find all the answers you need. Kieth
66 GMC SWB
65 Chevy LWB
65 GMC SWB
918-446-2245
| | | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2010 Posts: 3 | Ok, thanks. Looks like I just wasn't searching hard enough! I found a some write ups on it, and it doesn't look too difficult.
Something that kinda surprised me is the price difference between Ford and Chevy/GMC, new brake hoses for my ford cost $140 at NAPA for all three, but I could get all three hoses for a 66 GMC for half that, same NAPA store!
Sam | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 175 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 175 | Kinda tells you somthing don't it, my 1961 F-100 I might just turn and sell, the front clip is difficult with the way it's set up for the grill and core support, the door hinges are easy enough, some of the under dash stuff is annoying and yes it all seems twice to three times the price on parts | | |
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