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| | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2011 Posts: 12 | I am in the process of rebuilding the front axle of my truck. I can not find new brake drums for my truck. My brake drums are shot. I am going to drive this truck daily. I am considering changing the front axle to a 1953 3/4 ton axle because of not being able to find the brake drums. If I could find drums would leave alone. Does anyone have any experience with this problem? I am in need of advise. Thanks. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 | 1947-50 3/4-ton drums are impossible to find NOS and I am not aware of any new manufacturing of them. I bought another early truck just for these items recently for my own spares. I lucked out by getting 3 good drums plus a full set of near new shoes. I know the change you are contemplating has been done by others for similar reasons. It is not difficult if you have a donor set-up and the later style drums are widely available though they are not cheap. If you do change I would recommend all new u-bolts it is cheap insurance on 60+ year old parts. | | | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2011 Posts: 12 | Going to change. Will be changing all suspension bolts while doing this. I either need to find used axles or find out which parts i need to change on mine. All advice welcome. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Might look into going to discs, especially since your daily driver. Lots of info here.
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | busjockey, front brakes from '53 to '59 3/4 and 1 ton trucks can be fitted to your front axle. You need the brake assemblies from the backing plates out. You'll have to enlarge two holes on your spindles from 7/16" to 1/2" to bolt them up. | | | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2011 Posts: 12 | so what I am understanding my spindles will work just modify two holes to bolt on backing plates? Do you know anything about the rear brakes. Do I need a 53 axel or can we just change the backing plates out on that as well? | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | You probably have an Eaton axle, GM 14 bolt FF axles are cheap and plentiful, lots of ratios, modern brakes, late ones w/ discs.
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | Do you know anything about the rear brakes. Do I need a 53 axel or can we just change the backing plates out on that as well? Swapping Bendix brakes onto your rear axle housing isn't going to work out so well due to different drum and backing plate offsets. Would involve cutting/grinding/welding or improvising some spacers to line things up. If you have access to a '53 rear, I would sooner swap that in if your rear drums are truly not serviceable. | | | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: May 2011 Posts: 12 | JIM CARTER SAYS THEY HAVE REAR DRUMS FOR THE TRUCK NEW WOULD THERE BE A PROBLEM WITH BENDIX IN FRONT AND STOCK IN REAR? | | |
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