The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Better braking for 1946 Chev.1 1/2 ton

Hi Guys, pizza man here. Any thoughts on getting my truck to stop better, disk, changing axle etc.. i really need to stop better. Truck weighs 12k lbs now with pizza equipment.
Thanks in advance.
jack oldworldpizzatruck.com

Its not going to put you thru the windshield when you tap the brakes you have to drive acording to the load and road conditions, are the brake shoes properly adjusted,and is the hydro vac working, if the truck has seen little use and has not been driven much lately there is a good chance that the a wheel cylinder has stuck, this greatly reduces your stopping power, there is nothing wrong with a stock brake set up when done correctly, I went thru a 23 2 ton Chev with new parts and pieces and it will throw you against the steering wheel and it has a overhead moving van body on it.

It does not have a hydro vac on it brakes are adjusted but the main problem is going down long hills and having to stop fast. The brakes getted heated on the hills. I drive it regularly as it is my business. The truck ways about 12300 lbs with all that i added to the body.. I don't think hydro will help heating of brakes do you? That's why i was think of disk..
Thanks, Jack

surprised it doesn't have the hydrovac, was an RPO but pretty common original equipment and it will help, along with downshifting on hills and not riding the brakes ... my 46 with hydrovac had better brakes than any other lighter old truck I've had, if you're pushing that rig on the highway you should get the hydrovac

Bill

I would think the truck is rated for around 15000 lbs, so the factory brakes should be adequit. Are your hoses in good shape? maybe try dot4 fluid. disc brakes will actually build up more heat than a drum brake set up.

I would think that 46 had a hydro vac, some one with knowledge about that vintage should chime in here, but it sounds like too much downhill speed to start with as in being in too high of gear and riding the brakes, rule of thumb is go down the hill in the gear you went up.

I grew up in the trucking business, so i know how to drive trailers down to something like this, the problem going down hill if you have a 1mile to a couple mile hill is that you either brake on and off or downshift but then you will start over revving..

It is a daily driver for me in the summer, highway, streets, hills whatever. I mean if someone pulled out in front of me and i was going 40 mph or they stopped short, this truck is not stopping.

where can i get a hydrovac for it and will it help that much...

The hydrovac will NOT help you stop better. It only makes the pressure required of your legs, less.

I would do a preliminary check of all moving parts in the brake system and make sure everything is adjusted accordingly. As mentioned above, a stock system is more than adequate for hauling the weight you mention.

The huck brake system does require normal adjusting of each brake shoe seperately if the truck is used as commonly as you say.

Is this system stock?

Jeff

yes it is

Here is the unit that I got from ABS Power Brake.
http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/48989/2701798080096773078S600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/47572/2320770950096773078S600x600Q85.jpg
I have yet to put it to use as the truck that it is in is not finished yet but it was an easy bolt in as it mounts to the frame using the holes for the stock master cylinder and uses the stock pedal. In the picture it is shown with a hydro-booster and a dual circuit master cylinder. ABS supplied this entire unit I let them know what type and size brakes and the diameter of the wheel cylinders and that there were two per brake and they ensured that I would have the right master for the job. I opted to use a remote reservoir so it could be mounted for better access.
Hope that this helps I think that the mount it self would be pretty easy to build yourself but must say I was very happy with the help and service I got from ABS.

ABS?, and how much was the whole setup..
Thanks, Jack

I bought it in 2007 and don't remember I think it was around $600 but it could have been half that.
Here it is on their web site showen here with a pedal assebly
http://abspowerbrake.com/maincatalog_frameset021.html

If you scroll down on the same page. http://abspowerbrake.com/maincatalog_frameset021.html
P/N M815559 is a good idea a stock master cylinder modified to be a bracket