The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 6-lug spindles

on my '31, i think i would like to retain the 6-lug bolt pattern so i can keep my tall & skinny tires. at the same time, i would like to install a drop axle for a little 'altitude adjustment'. while purchasing said axle, i am given the option of using 42-48 f**d or 49-54 chev spindles. is there any 6-lug drum brake that will adapt itself easily to either of these spindles? would i be better off using 49-54 spindles with the original drum brakes and buying new 16" rims?

thx
ed

The easiest would be to take your original axle to a shop that does such a thing and have it bent to any desired drop. Properly done it is as good as the original piece and everything still fits.

There is a shop here that does it.

i've definitely considered that option tony, but i would also like to upgrade to hydraulic brakes while doing the axle swap. also, i called around a little bit, and it seems that it would be cheaper to buy a dropped axle. thanks for the input.

ed

If you want to keep the six lug wheels try using 51-up truck drums and brakes,they are six lugs and have the modern style shoes. From what I have heard the 49-54 five lug drums and brakes fit the 1/2 ton trucks so trucks should work on the 49-54 car spindles

If you go the dropped axle route and get the 49-54 spindles get the drums and brakes with it. I will trade you 51-up truck six lug drums and brakes for the car parts,I was going to keep my 37 six lugs but have deceided to change to five lugs

jeff,

tex smith's 'how to build chevy hot rods' has a write-up on swapping the 49-54 car brakes to truck spindles. i'm looking over the article, and i'm not so sure that the swap would work in reverse. tell me this: does the stock pickup setup use a spacer between the spindle mounts and the backing plate? if you'd like to look over the article, i can photocopy it and fax it to you.

ed

Yes it does use a spacer

so then i do believe that the truck brakes would swap over to the car spindles.

Spend some money and get the six-lug disc brake set-up by some of rod brake places advertising in magazines!

Only thing diff that I know of on 54 spindles compared to earlier is the bottom two holes are bigger where backplate bolts on and steering arm. I had a 49 that they reccommended using 54 up, I just drilled out the holes. Looked like plenty of metal in them yet to me!