One of my planned upgrades to my 52. Facing too many problems and will be having to dispose of several hobbies and projects.
I did all the research some three years back on converting my 3/4 ton with Huck brakes to something more modern. Came up with this, and it looked feasible, but I can't do the work any longer. I'm hoping someone else can take this idea and make it happen. I lost my notes when the house got cleaned, and am working from memory.
This involves getting all of the brake parts from a 69-70 ¾ ton with a HO52 rear end. Also the wheels, 8 lug from a pre-94? Truck, 8 lug, 16 X 6 or 6.5”. Wheels from a Dodge or Ford can be used, but the center hole is larger, stud pattern is the same.
Started with an HO52 differential from a 69-70 that I used for a pumpkin swap. Take the entire brake assembly from the backing plate, drums and bearings from the 69-70 and install on the older HO52 housing. Bearings and seals from the newer hubs should fit on the older axle housing. This keeps the width down to fit in the fenders. The axles from the original should work. Only difference is the width of the newer drums and stud sizes. With a set of the newer narrow 8 lug wheels this should fit in the fenders, giving you the self-adjusting Bendix brakes and tubeless tires.
The front will take a bit more work. I didn't get all the needed parts, but using the front brake assemblies from a 68 or 69-70 3/4 ton should work. Using the bearings from the newer assemblies will require a spacer to be machined for either the inner or outer bearing to fit on the older axle. I don't remember which. I was not able to locate a bearing to fit without a spacer in the catalogs. A good bearing house might be able to match the inner and outer assemblies to fit. Backing plates from the newer truck will need some work to fit. From my study on the geometry the newer narrow 8 lug wheels will fit and clear the tie rod ends. It might take a thin spacer, again don’t remember exactly.
At this point I will not be able to complete this project and I am trying to pass on the information to someone who can use it. Nothing is for sale.
