Starting work on a stock 56 1/2 ton pickup, starting with the stopping. I'm new to old pickups but have a weeks worth of research under my browser. I want to lower the front AND upgrade the brakes. I am aware of the spring leaf removal technique but this sounds a little shaky. I am willing to spring for some dropped spindles. Are the various disc brake conversion kits sensitiive to whether its a stock or dropped spindle? Stated another way, if I'm going to do both eventually I need to get rotor/calipers SPECIFIC for a particular dropped spindle so I should get them all from the same manuf? It looks like I want a disc kit that provides new 5 bolt (camaro) rotors. Regarding the master cyl/booster, are they all pretty much interchangeable, any of the aftermarket underfloor boosters will work with most any caliper sets? and I can leave the stock rear drums on for now? thanks for any advice on part or all of this Arizona 6
RE: Drop spindle and disc brake con Arizona 6, my truck is a 50, but I did a similiar upgrade. I used mooleaf springs to lower, as dropped spindle are not an option on earlier trucks. My understanding is that the dropped spindles are direct replacement. Meaning you still use the original brakes. If that is the case, then the brake conversion kits are no problem. They come with the adapters and brackets meant to adapt them to stock type spindles. As far as the master cylinder, and booster setup, there are differences as to drum/drum, disc /drum, or disc/disc. I pieced my setup together slowly, due to cost. I would recommend that you buy the whole kit at the same time. It will come with discs, calipers, pads, hoses, booster, master cyl, proportioning valve, etc. Make sure to decide whether you will keep the drums always, because the master cylinder/proportioning valve setup is different for 4 wheel discs, than front disc only. Also be aware that the front discs may not fit all wheels, due to the calipers. Undercab boosters can also have clearance problems with different trannies. Call companies and ask lots of questions until you are comfortable with your choice, as it is a major investment cost wise. On my 50, I went 4 wheel disc, with 8 inch booster, and it is very tight to the tranny, and speedo cable. It is also a fairly sensitive pedal. I think I may change to a 7 inch booster at some point to help wth both. Ask lots of qestions, and even ask for customer references, guys who have done it. Try asking around at car shows too. You will be glad you did in the end. Good luck....Mike
RE: Drop spindle and disc brake con You can't get dropped spindles for your truck (unless you swap out the entire front suspension) but you can get a dropped front axle if you want to keep the stock suspension. There are companies online that sell dropped axles, and depending on where you live, there may be a local business that will drop (bend?) you front axle for you. You can also get disc brake conversions for you truck with the stock bolt pattern. Good luck, Stepside57 in the Central San Joaquin Valley of California
