Straight axle

[mechanixman]

Hello all,
I have a decision to make; and I want to know your guy's opinion before I do anything serious. The picture below is what I found my brakes to look like. I don't want to buy new cylinders at $70 a side. My solution there is get a cylinder off of a newer 70's pickup which brand new, costs $13 a side. But I would need to drill new holes in each back plate just to mount them.
BUT
I was cruisin and perusin craigslist, and found this set up:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/pts/3771652867.html
And it'd be great if it weren't for the fact it's a 57 1/2 axle, and I have a 52 1 ton frame. So my question is: Is it possible to swap this one in for mine?
Either just to the kingpins or the whole axle.

Thanks

[NEWFISHER]

My 50 was updated to 52 and newer backing plates, wheel cyls and shoes for the same reason. I would do that again or put your negotiating hat on and grab that axle.

[mechanixman]

Cool

I'll go for the axle in a heartbeat, but is it worth my while? or am I going to need to find a way to graft it to the frame?

[NEWFISHER]

Look for 1 ton to 1/2 ton straight axle conversion threads. I am sure it could be done with a different hanger and shackle set up.

[dwcsr]

The two axles are not interchangeable. One is from a taper frame truck and the other is a straight frame truck (55-57).

[mechanixman]

Thank you both for the advise.

Actually, I went to sid's website.
AD trucks have the same kingpin width at 50.5"
The spring perches may different, but that's not too much of a big deal.

The problem is TF trucks have a kingpin width of 54"
and the kingpin size is a 1/10" bigger on my truck, so I can't just switch out the hubs.

BUT I talked the seller. He said he just used a disc conversion kit. So I think I'll pass, and eventually make my own

[1project2many]

Do you have any friends at a machine shop? I bought brass bushings and had them installed in my cylinders. No troubles so far, and that was in 94 or 95.

Drilling the backing plate holes for later cylinders doesn't sound like too difficult a job...

[mechanixman]

We have a machine shop at our school that I can use.
I was getting ready to do that, but it doesn't look like there is enough material to safely hold the cylinder in place. I'll weld in a support plate later on.

[Denee007]

Why not take the cylinders apart, see just how bad they are, possibly with your skills at your schools machine shop, bore the cylinders out to the next size and put new guts in the wheel cylinders. Who knows, you may be able to hone these out and put new guts in them. Once you have the wheel cylinders working, the rest should fall into place. Then later on you can think about what upgrade you may do. You have plenty to do in the meantime~

[mechanixman]

I'll post a picture when I get home.
All that's left of the cylinder is the metal case.
There's something I left out.... I actually kinda already bought the cylinders, and got one of them installed.

[Denee007]

I didn't think I'd ever use ROTFLMAO! really made me chuckle!
I've recovered now good for you, you already know what you have, work with it. See what you can do with little or nothing at all.

Originally Posted by mechanixman

I'll post a picture when I get home.
All that's left of the cylinder is the metal case.
There's something I left out.... I actually kinda already bought the cylinders, and got one of them installed.

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[Wrenchbender Ret]

Let me get this straight. Is the rubber band there to hold the shoes up while servicing or did someone use that for a return spring.

[mechanixman]

First off, here's that picture I promised.
Both of the front drums look like this.
I think the rear ones are still intact.

Ret, I don't know. Those were actually zip ties. So my creative imagination came up with an explanation. Tell me what you guys think.
Here it goes: So this one of the previous owners just had the truck painted a shiny red. (someone did a crap paint job) But he didn't want to ruin it by running it into a tree or something. So he decided to do a brake job in a field. (I found it on a farm) He dropped the springs, the wheel cylinder kit and screws in the field while doing it. BUT It started raining... so He threw a ziptie around the brakes so the wheels wouldn't lock up when he tried to wheel it into the barn. (I found this out the hard way) The next day, when he tried to finish the job, he lost all the parts.

[Denee007]

I'd try to clean it up for the heck of it. You're a machinist, put it on a lathe take a millionth off, hone it the hell out of it. Don't install the new ones until you're sure you cannot absolutely salvage these. My father could/would make anything work. At least give it a try

Originally Posted by mechanixman

First off, here's that picture I promised.
Both of the front drums look like this.
I think the rear ones are still intact.

Ret, I don't know. Those were actually zip ties. So my creative imagination came up with an explanation. Tell me what you guys think.
Here it goes: So this one of the previous owners just had the truck painted a shiny red. (someone did a crap paint job) But he didn't want to ruin it by running it into a tree or something. So he decided to do a brake job in a field. (I found it on a farm) He dropped the springs, the wheel cylinder kit and screws in the field while doing it. BUT It started raining... so He threw a ziptie around the brakes so the wheels wouldn't lock up when he tried to wheel it into the barn. (I found this out the hard way) The next day, when he tried to finish the job, he lost all the parts.

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[Daze57]

^ Sorry sir but that is a funny story

[mechanixman]

Ha ha I tried my best.

[mr48chev]

Dang, even the rebuild kits for those Huck wheel cylinders are 24.25 each at Chevs of the 40's and I didn't look further.
I'm a bit spooked on your mix and match brake setup though as I don't know how well it is going to work plus you won't have a way to adjust the brakes with the hub and drum on the truck.

The simple solution would have been to install Bendex brakes off a 52, 53 or 52 and get rid of the Huck brakes. For probably the same cost you could buy the axle off craigslist and swap spindles and brakes to your axle with a bit of bushing finagling. Then the whole brake setup might go right on your spindles.

[mechanixman]

If you are talking about these,
http://www.bendixcatalog.com/Applica...ne=-%20All%20-

That's exactly what I have


I'll post some pictures of it installed next time I get a chance to pull the drum.

[mechanixman]

Ha ha, I'll see what I can do

[Denee007]

Make me proud Nick! You can do this! At least if you can get the brakes working somewhat, at least to move the truck around having some brakes, that will give you time to think and explore options. I would use the phrase "nickle and dime you", but today, it's more like 100 and 500 dollar you/us! Even the brake lines can bite your butt! Will the master cylinder hold pressure? you could put a plug in it to at least test it, maybe?

Originally Posted by mechanixman

Ha ha, I'll see what I can do

[mechanixman]

I got the master cylinder cap off (after 5 hours of a pair of vise grips, bruised knuckles, and a couple swears). And poured brake fluid in. I pumped the brake, and it looked like everything went down the line like it should have. A little while later, I looked under the truck, and I saw a little drip. But I think that's all from not having a steady hand while pouring.

[54 jimmy]

check out lmc they sell new wheel cyclinders for around 40 to 60 bucks for the 3/4 ton trucks. page 93. hope this helps.

[coralhead]

Nick, Here is my advice. The most important thing on this project is proper, reliable brakes. All the other things you are doing is second. Spend the money on your brakes. Jim Carter has wheel cylinder repair kits for 1 ton (1.375" dia) for $15 (ME338) or new wheel cylinders for $49.50 front (ME131) and rears for $69 (ME773). Please don't skimp on the brakes. This is for your own safety and the others on the road.

[G&R's57GMC]

You know the old saying 'Penny wise, pound foolish.'

Upgrade the brakes !

BTW 90's Isuzu cab over has the same width axles with disc brakes.

[mechanixman]

Coralhead, I hear ya.
Glen thanks for the tip! Now where am I going to find an Isuzu cab over??
We've got a bunch of friends that need their cars worked on. everything from new brake lines, to new alternators. I just want to get the drums working, so I can park it in the street while I take care of these.

Unlike the go kart I built before this, Safety is my number 1 concern. I'm definitely going to put discs on before I get it registered. I figure if I don't trust the single master cylinder, why would I trust the stock brake cylinders?