The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1940-41 1 1/2 ton parking brake system

Hello,

I am in the process of restoring an early Chevy military truck. In the early versions of these trucks, some of the parts were sourced from civilian components. My truck has rear wheel parking brakes like it's civilian counterparts. Mainstream later military parking brakes use a transfer case brake system.

Here is what I need help with. The previous owner altered the system and some pieces are missing. My truck has a bellcrank-like shaft perpendicular to the frame located right behind the cab (similar to civy trucks). On one end, the shaft is connected to the hand brake lever with a rod. On the other end of the shaft, the brakes are attached to the cables at the wheel with either a long single cable, or a solid metal rod and two clevis's. I would like to know how your trucks are configured. Pictures would be a plus. Thanks in advance.

Paul

Paul, Don't have a picture right now, but my one-owner, 21,000 original mile 1940 1-1/2 Ton has the rods with clevis going from the bellcrank shaft back to the rear brakes.

There is some confusion (at least on my part). I looked at a deco 1 1/2 truck and it had solid rods with clevis's on each end from the bellcrank to a short setion of flexible cable going to the brake backing plate. I thought that is what I was going to reconstruct; but last weekend, I went to look at a January 1940 military 1 1/2 truck. The military truck had one long cable eminating from the bellcrank all the way to the drum backing plate. My truck is a February 1940 military, so I would be inlined to think it is the same. The problem is, that I have notices a great deal of variation in prodution parts during that period. Were civilian trucks similar in that fashion? I would love to see some pictures of current vehicles, or images from manuals.

Thanks.

Paul

pm me a email address and ill send you a pic of how my one ton is set up

pm sent

Any other help with what is supposed to be "stock" on this truck?

Paul WNC

browsing the forums and saw your brake topic. here is link to pics of my truck. there may be a photo of info you seek. if not let me know and i will snap a few pics if needed.

http://s834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/dcabico/truck40/

biGbOLt,

Your truck looks great. You have done well.

Thanks for the reference photos. I am restoring a military 1.5 ton. Seems like there are some differences. The 1940-41 military trucks have parking brakes at the drums like yours, but the cable system is different. The civy trucks apparently have a combination rod/cable arrangement. Military trucks of that age have cable only. I think I will need to have cables made.

Would you mind sending some photos of the backing plate where the cable mounts?

Thanks.

Paul