The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Best Disc Brake Conversion Kit for 1954 3100?

Hi,

This is my first post. I recently purchased a 1954 chevy 3100 and I'm having a blast driving it around town. It's a stock truck and hasn't been modified, which I intend to maintain...however...

It has the original drum brakes and I'd like to convert the fronts to disc brakes (for safety sake).

There are numerous complete kits out there and I'm hoping someone here can recommend a kit/vendor that works well and has good installation instructions.

Thanks!
Kevin

I used the CPP kit, incl. the power booster and hanging pedal conversion.
THe kit also converts from ball bearings to roller bearings. USes standard GM/Camaro rotors and calipers.
Trouble free installation and good performance.

I'm working on a disc brake conversion for my 54 3600. It may be an 8 lugger, but I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work for the 1/2 tons. I'm using a 13" rotor and the caliper is the same as what the 99 and newer 1/2 ton trucks use. I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be adaptable to the AD 3100 trucks.

I can send some pics if you want.

Chris

Thanks Squire. I see that the kit includes the power booster, but it doesn't mention the "hanging pedal conversion." Was that something additional you needed to order? Was it for a '54 3100?

Kevin,
I'm also getting ready to do some mods to my 54 1/2 ton. Are you planning on keeping the 6 lug in the front? Brothers currently has some items on sale, including the kit. I've not delt with Brothers yet so I don't know how the quality is. I'm sure someone here can comment on that.
Keith

Something that you will need to consider, most, if not all, of the aftermarket disk conversions will not work with stock wheels, or at least not the 15" wheels. The caliper hits the wheel in the drop well where the center is attached.

Kevin, Welcome to the Stovebolt community.

I've been driving with the CPP 6 lug disc brake conversion fitted to my '50 3100 truck for 4 years now. I am very pleased with the braking performance, there's no noticeable fade even when braking from high speeds; brake fade was a big problem when I still had the drums at the front. I thought the disc kit was quite simple to install, although the instructions were quite basic.

The 6 lug kits from all the vendors seem to use the same components, so I'm not sure that it would make a lot of difference (apart from the price) wherever you buy.

One more thing to consider is these kits will space the wheels out so when you get new rims you can compensate with more backspace. I think all kits move the wheels out but some more than others.

Camperkev

Yes, you have two ways to go with their kits...

One is to keep the under body location and install the booster/master in that location to keep your original pedal "thru the floor"

or,

convert to a hanging pedal with the power master/booster on the firewall.
Using this one you cut out the old stamped sheet metal dashboard brace and
replace it with their 3/16" steel brace assembly that the booster then bolts directly to thru the firewall. Since I went with a new tilt column I decided I'd prefer this set up. It's quite stout.

Hope this helps