Stovebolt.com Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 3800 Rear Brake Drum Source

I have a 54 3800 and need new drums. From what I have read they are hard to find. Is there a source for these parts? Also can you buy pistons for the wheel cylinders? Just bought truck that has sit for 40 years and bring it back to life. Engine was first and it now purrs, dirt dobbers sealed the intake/carb and other than rebuilding carb, and replacing wiring/ign parts it came back to life. Some things I am finding are really funny, a finnishing nail was used a cotter pin in fron axle.
JMS

You should place your query in the Parts Wanted section. Someone may have some to sell, and maybe even nearby!
As for the pistons for the wheel cylinders, I believe you can find complete rebuild kits that include the spring, pistons, and cups.

I loved looking through my old farm truck when I bought it. Still get a kick out of some of the things I found. For example, I found an old Hires Root Beer bottle opener in the ash tray. That's a keeper! I also found old beat up license plates were used to plug holes in the wood flat bed it had. Out of state and rusted through. Too bad.

The drums are really tough to find. You could try the parts wanted here and also on the VCCA site. Another source would be wrecking yards. I would measure your drums to see if there is any life left in them. You may be able to substitute a rear axle from a later truck, one that you can get drums for.

Is there anyone who needs new brake drums. I found a source to reproduce them. If there was enough of a demand the price would not be to bad ($180). Anyway just trying to check all angles.

JMS

What qualifies as "enough"

It would probably take ten sets.

JMS

If you can get the interest - put me down for a set.

Does anyone know if the rear drums on 3/4 tons are the same as the 1 ton fronts?

JohnSabol...if you want more interest, see if you can get the information out there in a "sticky note" here in the forums. Right now my drums appear OK but I might be persuaded to buy extras.

Kyle

Kyle,
Though both are 12" diameter I believe they are different.
Rear drums usually have more of an offset.

A general FYI for this thread, keep in mind that '46-'52 drums will be different than '53 and up. 1953 was the first year for the Bendix style brakes on these trucks.

I want my name on the list for 2 rear drums for a 1951 single wheel 1 Ton. I hope this list grows because having new drums available would be amazing!

I guess it is also the matter of exactly what is needed and if older truck drums are compatible. On mine it has 14" rear drums that have an outside diameter of about 15.75" and a total depth of 5.125", they have 8 lugs on a 6.5" circle and a 4.5" pilot hole, also have two cs holes to hole the drum to the hub and four other holes that I don't know their use. Does anyone know if the older Huck style brakes use the same drums?

JMS

To add information, it appears that 46 - 52 one tons take pn 809808 for a rear drum and 53 and 54 take pn 3703616. Not sure about compatibility, probably not, probably why these are obsolete.

JMS

It's great to hear about a possible source for these drums. My truck is a 1950 1 ton 3804 with the 9' box. I was fortunate enough a few years ago to find a NOS set of rear drums, and I did not hesitate to purchase them. I know there are several people that would like to see these come available. I would like to know if there is the same level of interest for the front drums. Those I would be interested in finding. I hope someday we have a source for the fronts drums.

Are the 1 ton front drum's not same as the rear of a 3/4 ton?

Bigtonka,

I beleive the diameter & the width of the shoe contact area is the same, but the rear drums have more of an offset because of the hub on the rear axel. In other words, if you laid one of each on the floor, the drum for the rear would be taller than the front drum.

I don't thick the Huck drums are the same as the next generation.

Put me down for a set of drums for a 'pre'53 3804 (SRW).

I'll take a set. 1950 3804

I'll take a set (front and rear, if possible): '48 GMC 250 (1-ton)

I know this has been dead for awhile but has anyone found a current source for 14in rear brake drums for the 3800's?

As far as I know there is no after market source for the drums!
If you can find any at a used lot scoop them up they are very rare to find.

So I spoke to a company called DuraBrake and they can make custom/made to order brake drums. Minimum order qty is 12 and the person on the phone rough quoted about $450 a piece....I am curious if any one of the parts companies (LMC, Chevys of the 40's, etc) would be interested in going into a larger lot size to reduce cost, or if we had enough interest here for them. But for $450 a piece its same or cheaper to swap the entire rear axle at that point....

I've had no problem finding used drums but in my neck of the woods the 3/4 and 1 tons were super common back in the day. Seems like lots of these trucks didn't really see a pile of miles so there's lots of drum left. There's enough of them out there still that i wouldn't want to fork out for custom made ones.

4.10 gearsets on the other hand.....

If you know where someone can get drums, would you mind helping out finding some more?

I'm also looking for rear drums for a 1 ton. Mine are worn too far to get machined.

Steelbee,

You need to post an ad in Truck Parts Wanted forum.

Make sure you specify, make. model. year in your title or description to help folks know what you are looking for.

Dan

Maybe someone can verify this ...

I've heard anecdotally that because the HO72 axle (for our 1-tons) was made all the way through the late '60's, you might be able to retro fit the newer Bendix style backing plates, shoes, mechanisms and drums from a newer HO72 to an older one.

If you can find a '68 3/4-ton truck with an automatic transmission and coil springs in a junkyard, there is *possibility* that you can find the 4.10 gearset as well as better brake components ... i.e., grab the whole axle.

But this needs verification.