Disc Brake Axles?

[MattBMiller]

I just picked up a 71 GMC 5500. I'm planning on building a custom western hauler style bed for it and using it to haul hot rods and tractors to shows. Planning on a 12 valve 5.9 Cummins with a 6 speed manual.

I'd like to get disc brakes up front. Are there any axles that are a direct bolt in or are the P30 knuckles the way to go?

The rear axle is a 7.17/9.76 right now. I have my eyes on a new Spicer S110 axle out of a Ford F550 that I may pick up for it, that would get my disc brakes in the back and a 4.10 gear.

[MattBMiller]

A couple pics. This is the bed that came on it. Pulled that off and hoping to get going on the bodywork and drivetrain removal this weekend.

[6066gmcguy]

You need to find a NEWER truck that has disc brakes on it. a 5500 is a pretty heavy truck, you won't want to use parts from a one ton (30 series) they would be too small.

The Ford 550 mite be OK, but you shoud get both front and rear axle and then only haul what those axles are rated for on the truck and not what the truck is rated for now.

Some poeple I have heard are using axles from those newer mid size cabover trucks.

[KQQL IT]

Look for a 89 c 60 drove one with disc brakes on all 4 corners. And later model U haul trucks
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[D13]

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[C10 - C90 Bill]

Nice looking truck. Looks real clean and looks like it has real nice sheet metal. Like the Spoke Wheels.

Bill

[ETsC10]

Nice, clean truck Matt! Subscribed.

[D13]

Originally Posted by D13

Please note that you must be a supporting member to post classified items.

My apologies moderator. My forgetful errror.

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by D13

My apologies moderator. My forgetful errror.

Accepted and thanks...only part of the mod thing I hate.

Ellen


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[mrolds88]

Why not look at the late model c4500 and c5500 trucks?
keep it all GM then.

[rkn463]

I picked up an 89 C-60 recently for that very thing. It has 4 wheel discs with hydro-boost. It will stop ona dime! The problem I have is the fron axle is much wider than my 68. I haven't had a chance yet to pull them apart to see if the knuckles from the 89 will fit the older axle. If not then I'll be looking a set of 68-72 c70 fenders as they have a wider flare. I'm 99% sure that the chevy a and GMC fenders for this series are interchangeable.

One problem I see that you would have is that the type I am speaking of is a ten lug wheel unlike what your truck has. Wheels to fit that specific 10 lug pattern are very hard to find in anything but "widow makers" or 19.5's.

Great looking truck you have there!

-Richard

[D13]

Mine has 20" steel Budd style wheels. I'll have to check if they are 10 bolt but I believe so. I think there was a lot of transition in that period and the wheel combo is very load range sensitive. Mine's under 26K GVW, was apparently a Ryder truck and then a light duty landscape dump.

[Woogeroo]

ya'll know the big semi trucks still use drum brakes... I'm just sayin'.

-W

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by Woogeroo

ya'll know the big semi trucks still use drum brakes... I'm just sayin'.

-W

And air which is far better than juice drum brakes.
Also the next 5 Pete's we have will be air disk brakes.
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[D13]

I was wrong, mine are 10 bolt steel Budd's in 22.5.

Next door is KW 10 yard dump with a set of polished Aluminum Budds with super singles on the front... droool.... He's got 30 wheels...

[rkn463]

Originally Posted by D13

I was wrong, mine are 10 bolt steel Budd's in 22.5.

Next door is KW 10 yard dump with a set of polished Aluminum Budds with super singles on the front... droool.... He's got 30 wheels...

You are very lucky, the 22.5's in our lug pattern is extremely difficult to come by.

-Richard

[V3500KING]

Originally Posted by rkn463

I picked up an 89 C-60 recently for that very thing. It has 4 wheel discs with hydro-boost. It will stop ona dime! The problem I have is the fron axle is much wider than my 68. I haven't had a chance yet to pull them apart to see if the knuckles from the 89 will fit the older axle. If not then I'll be looking a set of 68-72 c70 fenders as they have a wider flare. I'm 99% sure that the chevy a and GMC fenders for this series are interchangeable.

One problem I see that you would have is that the type I am speaking of is a ten lug wheel unlike what your truck has. Wheels to fit that specific 10 lug pattern are very hard to find in anything but "widow makers" or 19.5's.

Great looking truck you have there!

-Richard

So what years came with disc brakes? I am looking to get one of these heavier duty trucks and would like to have them.

[rkn463]

Originally Posted by V3500KING

So what years came with disc brakes? I am looking to get one of these heavier duty trucks and would like to have them.

I do not know