There doesn't seem to be any parts available for a 1952 GMC 3/4 ton truck. I have looked at Classic Parts of America, and at LMC trucks. I live in Kansas City area, and am just looking to get my truck running, and well stopping too. I have tried the 1953 3/4 ton drums and shoes, and they are not the same. I also have tried various autoparts stores, with no luck. Any suggestions on what do to????
Bendix or Huck? If you still have the original bendix brakes on your truck, all the parts are available. I put new drums and wheel cyls. on my 54 GMC 3/4. On your backing plate do you have one adjusting hole on the bottom or two holes on top of the backing plate? Chris
What Chris Said As your truck was originally fitted with Bendix brakes and they were used from '51 well into the 1960's..... Look in the yellow pages under brake jobber or wholesaler , or any place that advertises Raybestos brand brake parts .
Here's a source, I hope. This guy helped a bunch with my 3/4 brakes. I redid the whole thing then decided to go 1/2 ton- for a few reasons. He's got all KINDS of stuff for our beloved ADs. Just leave me two rear fenders and a G gate, K? Tom Myer's Truck Parts (918)-542-3871 (918)-533-3871 (cell) Miami, OK
Thanks Zig: Thanks for the info, Miami OK, isn't too far for me, Only 3 hrs or so. I will give him a call. What all did you do to covert to a 1/2 ton? I was thinking that also, due to the price of the drums and pads. However, I would like to stay 3/4 ton so I don't have to buy new rims. azcarman411 & vwnate1: My drums I believe are 1" smaller diameter then the 53-59 drums. I tried the 53 drum, and they are not the same at all. I just also got on Raybestos's Website, and they show similar results. If I search for a 53 3/4 ton, i will get the drums, pads and everything. If i search for my 52 3/4 ton, i only get the wheel cylinder, which I already have. Also on my backing plate I have two wholes on the top of the plate to adjust the wheel cylinder. Any suggestions on that? I can measure my drum, but i think it was 12" inner diam. And the 53 3/4 ton was 13", and they were different styles.
well... I'm doing what Chris did. Put a 1/2 ton axle under the front and an updated rear end in back. Doing this allows you to go 5 lug or 6 lug wheels. My 3/4 came with the original split rim, 8 lug wheels. (all 3/4s are 8 lug...) If you want to stick with 8 lugs and have 1/2 a year to wait, I could sent you my shoes and drums/springs/etc off the back of my truck. Good luck, Wolf! Tom has lots of "body parts" as well!
Thanks for the help. I will call some local junk yards, and see what all they have available from a 1/2 ton. what all would i need in the front to replace the brakes? Will the 1/2 ton backing plate bolt right up to mine, or will i need to replace everything with the 1/2 ton parts? Im not sure if my drums are ok or not. But i can't even get shoes for my truck, and the drums have some pretty deep grooves in them. What I really would like to do, is just get some 3/4 ton brakes, that I bolt on without major modifications. i am also looking at a disk brake conversion for the front, but i don't want to spend that much money on it right now. What i would like to do in the future is to put a complete new suspension on, but for now i just want to drive it! Zig: I may take you up on your offer for the parts. I don't live to far from ya. What year is your 3/4 ton?
I have a '52 GMC. If you get your brakes straightened out, Nate has some good advice about what pumpkin you can swap out to get MUCH better highway speed. If you end up getting my brake stuff, the shoes have *very* few miles on them!
I hate to tell you, but I hauled the front and rear from my 51 3/4 ton to the dump in perfect working order.....I couldn't give them away around here.
Thanks a lot for that contact info for Tom's autoparts. I called him today, and he knew exactly what parts I need. He said that I had Hux??? (spelling) brakes. Now I just need to talk to him about what parts he has available to either switch out the front axle, as well as a rear end swap. Ol chebby: Such is luck right!!! anyway, what did you replace your 51 3/4 ton axles with? Thanks again, this forum is a great source of info. Im sure i will post a few more threads. Brian
Huck brakes Brian - I just got done rebuilding my 'huck' brake system. You can see most of the before and after photos on my website. I bought most of the replacement parts on our host's site. If you need a specific photo, please let me know. Larry
Brian ; You have " HUCK " brakes and it's somehow fitting they rhyme with " suck " as they surely do ~ if you've not yet bought the parts , STOP ! as they're dangerous for to-days driving needs and you can simply find the later Bendix brakes and bolt 'em up to your axles , you'll need to grab everything including the backing plates & drums etc. . The differance in stopping power will amaze (and please) you . Also , you should know that turning brake drums isn't wise unless they're out of round as evidenced by pulsating brake pedal when you stop ~ I know you've " always done it that way " as the parts guys like to sell parts but , Huck brake drums are NO LONGER MADE and yours are allready too thin and if you turn them they won't disassapate heat well and you'll have brake fade , esp. from high speed panic stops where you need to stop most . ( descending a mountain fully loaded in an old 3 ton road weight pickup with the brake pedal touching the floorboards is very exciting yes indeedy but I'll not do it again this lifetime please ) Bendix and other brake manufacturers have brake clinics where they teach *professional* mechanics to NOT turn every drum.... If the shoes went metal to metal , just take some 600 grit sand paper and smooth 'em up by hand untill the sharp edges are gone then assemble , the new shoes will bed into the soft gooves and actually have more contact area , improving braking . If you're worried about proper acring of the shoes and don't want to simpy re-adjust as they bed in over a few weks , get some adhesive backed sand paper and cut into strips , put in the drum and mount up and turnt he drums whilst appliying the brakes , the shoes will be *perfectly* arced in a few revolutions , remove drums and sand paper , wash adhesive residue off with brake cleaner or alcohol and you're done , gtta go , lotsa e-mails and little time .
Thanks Nate, man its nice to have people that know about these trucks, I know just enough to be dangerous But i do know one thing, and that is man these trucks are awesome!! The new ones just don't have the style. I am working on getting some new backing plates, the bendix style ones, new bendix drums, shoes. Is there anything else I need? I already have new/ rebuilt wheel cylinders. New master cylinder, All new SS Brake lines, New hoses. Anything else I need for the conversion to Bendix style?
Dang, Brian! I have all the stuff he sold me practically brand new and all I'm going to do with it is toss it. You have the same thing I do, I guess~ I have refinished backing plates, shoes, drums, the whole friggin' thing. I'm just going to pitch this stuff. If you are going rebuild, I'm sure my parts would love another chance... ...not to take a sale away from Tom, but~ Let me know, OK? The front ends on blocks now, the ass end might as well be~
Zig thanks for the awesome contact info. I might just have to take you up on that offer. What kind of brake parts do you have to sell? Is it the huck brakes? I don't live to far from you. I live in Olathe, KS. and could easily make a trip to pick up some parts. I will try to figure out how to send you a personal message on here, or just email me at bwolfy_53@hotmail.com. Hope we can work something out. brian
Beyond that, if you have either Huck or Bendix brakes STOP. they are both dangerous with the speeds and steeds on the roads today. I recommend an up grade to front disc brakes. http://www.classicperform.com/Store/1947_59_Trucks/4954CBK6.htm
Yer Welcome It's nice to know that after all these years , my obsolete experiance is useful FWIW , I am still working one of these fine old trucks as a Shop Truck , it has a 235 and a 12 volt conversion , otherwise it's stock . I sure wish Zig was closer with his Bendix brake parts as I need 'em badly . -Nate
Hey Brian~ Olathe, huh? I grew up in Prairie Village, so I know of your town. The cops there HATED me... ...for some reason... (67 Mustang, fat tires out back, long hair, known to be an idiot...) I won't be up that way untill June, but if you need the brake parts, you can have them when I get it stripped. Unfortunately, the drums might not be any good. They were rusted pretty bad, and before I found this site, I did what I thought was a good thing and I had them turned!!!!!
Zig: Prairie Village! My wife and I go to church there on Mission Road! Very nice area, Great church. Do you have bendix or huck's brake parts? I would love to come down to Pitt and take them off your hands Thanks again B
