The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop disc brakes and power steering

Hi i'm just starting my first truck its a 38 short box.We're in the UK by the way.
Just wondering what you guys would do and who's disc kits you've used and what power steering box's fit or would you just clip it? And who do you use for general parts?
The truck is going to be my partners daily driver when finished so will do a fair mileage.
So far i've sourced and 250 and th350 from a 77 camaro
Any advice gratefully received Damien

I used a 79 camaro clip on my 51.Power breaks & steering.also you have the engine mounts for a V-8.Its a lot cheeper in the long run + parts are every where.It's also safer updating the old front end.good luck

A Chevrolet S10 will work for a whole frame swap.

I used a disk brake kit from Master Power Brakes for mine, and still use the stock type steering only updated. By that I mean, mid '50s tie-rod and draglink ends, and a 1940 steering box. The newer box has recirculating balls and a slower ratio which helps a bunch over the '37-'38 boxes. I know of no power steering thats easily added.

Joe

Yes, just clip it, it is pretty cool for maintenance that all your front end/engine/trans and even rear end come from the same vehicle. For a daily driver, it is also nice to know you are using sturdy factory stuff made to work together. It may seem like a big job now but in the long run, you will smile! Especially in the UK, it is easier to get mid'70s Camaro parts than Stovebolt parts...
To add to a previous post, there are kits for a full chassis swap:
http://www.e-zchassisswaps.com/
http://www.ad-engineering.com/
But I do not think it would be too easy to find a good S10 in England, Camaro is probably easier...
Have fun!

You don't have to "clip" them. I put disks on a stock straight axle and kept my stock 6. I have driven over 3000 miles the last 2 weeks.

"So far i've sourced and 250 and th350 from a 77 camaro"

I thought you Brits like to go through the gears manually. Get a clear idea of what you want before you start taking it apart and gathering parts.

Many trucks are "exploded" by owners in with the goal of making a daily driver. Think it through before you start.

I have a 1940 gmc 3/4 ton. My gmc has the same steering box and front axle as your 38. I chose to get a dropped axle from a 41-54 from Sid, and install 6 lug 12 inch disc brakes on that axle. It is a virtual bolt in upgrade. I also used a steering box from a 41-46.

Here in the states, parts are more available for these old trucks. Out in the UK, I would use what is available... ie Jaguar clip, engine and rear, but I would strongly consider restoring it to stock specs.

Thanks guy's.
Bigbadswingdaddy we know what want to end up with its just how to get there we not sure of,as for the gearbox my partner has a very bad knee due to a skiing accident so a manual is a no go especially a crash box. We want to keep it as standard looking as possible and not do anything irreversible so it could be returned to standard.(we are keeping all removed parts as we feel we are only temporary custodians of a beautiful vehicle)
I do understand that i'm going to have a lot parts shipped over and hence asking who you nice people used so far i have found these suppliers
http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/
http://www.dansclassic.com/default.cfm
http://secure.oldchevytrucks.com/
http://www.obschevy.com/
who is "sid"
Joe which kit did you use as i've search Master Power Brakes site and can't find a kit listed for a 38.
Seem like you all agree on 41 steering box

Here you go,
http://www.mpbrakes.com/products/product-detail.cfm?product_id=441

The '41-'46 gear box is a big improvement, but don't expect power steering feel from it. At a stop, you still have to man handle it, but a slow speed turn is much easier. The steering wheels are a little different offset on the 41-46 so I cut the column shaft off a old '37 and replaced the top half of the '41 so I could keep the '37 wheel and horn switch.

Joe

Hi Damien I have a '38 GMC I bought the disc brake set up from Jim Carter. for the steering I used a '82-'84 Toyota 4x4 truck power steering set up. I had to fabricate a mount for the gear box and use a double u joint connector for the steering column and I also had to cut the 2 Pittman arms and weld them together so I had the right length and splines. for the steering column I bought an extra one off ebay, I cut and modified the extra column to work so everything looks original.

When I build mine I modified everything I put in it so to try to make it look original

Thanks Shoer that sounds like what i'm looking for.
Have you got any photos or is there a thread on here i could look at for more details

there are some old thread on here somewhere about the power steering that's how I knew which one to use. It is NOT a straight swap but it is dam close to a straight swap. You will have to fabricate brackets but that is part of the fun. One of the things I liked about the Toyota P/S was the remote reservoir, I mounted it on the firewall and it almost looks like it belongs. Give me a couple of days for some pics i will have to go take some

Thanks look forward to seeing them
Damien