The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun Front brake drum compatibility

Hi guys. I don't post much on here, but I sure have learned a lot. My buddy and I are just finishing a restoration on his 59 1 1/2 ton truck . We pulled the front brake drums and they are shot. We have not found replacements available from our sources. Do any of you know which years share the same drum/ spindle size? I know where there are a lot of parts trucks, just don't know what years may interchange. Thanks, Paul

Hy PKap, is your truck a 40 series?

I dont really know what the series would be. It has the same front end sheet metal as the 1/2 ton pu. I think the badging says Apache 65. When we bought it, we were told it was 1 1/2 ton. Has about 9' frame behind cab, 2 fewer leafs than my 53 6500,( 2 ton) so I am not really sure. Paul

Paul, "Apache" was the name put on light trucks, the medium trucks were badged "Viking", and the heavy trucks were "Spartan" ... a 65[00], would be a 2 ton Viking and wouldn't have the front metal of a 1/2T, so it'd have to be a 1T at most, an "Apache 38" .... the correct VIN would tell, a 1T would start 3G59, a 2T 6500 would start with 6C59

Bill

Thanks, It must be the 1 ton, I will double check the vin. Did GM use the same front drums over multiple years on their trucks or were they unique for late 55-59 ? I have access to a lot of large AD truck parts, I just don't know if they will work if I go through the effort of finding a good set.

Hy PKap, Can you find the serial number? The numbers red58 quoted were for American trucks, he may not have noticed you were from Alberta. If your truck is a Canadian one your serial number will be something like 938...... . In the mean time, how many nuts hold your wheels on, and what is the trucks wheelbase?

Hi, the truck is at my buddy's shop, I will drop in tomorrow. Wheel base is around 120" , I will check, and the front drums are I think 6 lug. We bolted new one ton wheels right up, but changed out the rear end because the 16" wheels wouldn't fit over the original rear drums. I will check the vin tag and post Ina couple days. Thanks

Sorry, I think the drums are 8 lug, not 6

Hy PKap, a 3/4 ton (3600 series) would have a 123 1/4" w.b., a 1 ton (3800 series) would have a 135" w.b., hope that helps.

Definitely not 3/4 ton, had 18" split rims and dual rear wheels. Pto driven lift system. Like I said, about 9' of frame behind the cab. Will find the vin and post it. The original question is whether the drum and axles were compatible over the earlier and later trucks or this era( 55-59) only. Anyone know?

Hy PKap, one ton 12" front brake drums were the same from 1953 to 1970, the later C30 and P30 with 12" brakes. Raybestos p/n 2008, or 2008R, Napa p/n ND 4401090, hope that helps.

Thankyou, found them, on the road next week I hope