VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Brake conversion

I have a 48 3/4 ton. I've found an abundance of disc kits but all say "for 1/2 ton only" Is this becauce of popularity or for some good reason.

3/4 tons are now becoming much more popular. until now the 1/2 tons were the most sought after. I'm not aware of any disc conversion kits for the 3/4- 1 ton as yet. I have read some articles on folks that have used late model for parts, but these were individual efforts. I do believe it can be done, but you might be a pioneer. I have a 50 3/4 ton and I am just rebuilding the stock huck system. Huck brakes have a high pedal effort and do not like drums that are worn over size. If properly set up and maintained they will work quite well if you drive at speeds closer to the era than modern traffic typically does. Keep us aprised of your progress>

Thanks,
I got this E-Mail from W.D. Foster. I'm going to sit down with the assembly manual and figure out what this all means.

1947-1954 1/2 and 3/4 tons use the same front springs. I would take same quick measurements from both 1/2 and 3/4 ton front axles and if they are the same I would replace the front axle with one from a 1/2 ton and use the disc brake conversion that is available for it.

Happy New Year,
W.D. Foster
Keller, Texas

The 1/2 ton has a lighter front axle,smaller king pins and spindles and wheel bearings.It does however use the same front brakes as a 3/4 ton.It would probably be best to install a 1/2 ton axle if your not carrying heavy loads.As you know the front springs are the same so I would assume that the spacing would also be the same.This would also require the 6 bolt wheels.

Sounds do able but I don't like the idea of weakening the front suspension. I'll get a kit and see where the differences are. Perhaps it's just a matter of doing some design and mill work? Maybe I will pioneer this conversion after all? Thanks for your help.

my sentiments exactly Johnny, and if the axles are a little lighter but the springs are the same, and the front brakes are the same, is it not a work of futility to change anything just to improve the brakes, also if you go to disc brakes, don't expect to have any better brakes unless you go to full power brakes. Do a complete brake job on the stock brakes (a hydrovac unit is a fairly easy mod.) and keep them adjusted as per the shop manual. If you put in a 500hp engine invest in an anchor and a heavy chain,

The axle isn't that much lighter.The 1/2 ton is rated at 2000 lbs. and the 3/4 ton at 2300 lbs.The big difference is in the rear where the pay load was carried.

OK, Here it is, about 2.5 years have past since I first started this post and I am now getting some things done! I tracked down the right rotor and caliper for the rear (that was the hardest part) and have the caliper brackets being abrasive water jet cut. I have the front axle out of the truck rebuilding the spindles/king pins. Will design the front disc brake brackets this week. Don't know when the truck will be back on the road to test the brakes. When I do I'll post here the results.