hyd. brakes

[Jon Henry]

Hi; Could anyone tell me if there's a fairly easy way to upgrade the brakes on a '38 1/2 ton? Will '39 hyd's work or even a bolt-on disc conversion? Thanks for the help!!~JH

[Johnny A]

did you get any help with this problem ?. I have the same problem I am looking to convert to power brakes. I have a 1959 pan .. and would love for some one to tel me what to do ...?

[Jon Henry]

Not yet but some one will respond!! See ya~JH

[46fordtruck]

Jon, I think that the '39 brakes could be adapted. The spindles are the same from '37-'41, so you can leave your stock spindle and add later hydraulic brakes. The '40 brakes seem to be a favorite, for old school hydraulic brakes, and they can also be adapted to your truck. Might even be able to adapt one of the disc brake kits out there to your truck.

[46yblock]

www.SpeedwayMotors.com lists part #910-31909 as a complete front brake disc conversion kit fir 37-47 Ford 1/2 tons. They also show a hydraulic brake adapter ring, for using 39-48 backing plates on Model A or B spindles.
For the disc conversion you will also need to work something for the mastercylinder. Same site has a dual feed MC for 35-40 Ford, $145, PN 916-31975. Additional items needed will be residual valves, and proportioning valve.
I used a Wilwood disc setup on my 46, with aluminum hubs and alum 4 piston calipers. It works great. Also went with a dual chamber MC out of a 67-71 Mustang from Sacramento Vintage Ford.
If you only have mechanical brakes now, then you need to figure out how the foot pedal is going to engage the MC. I have no idea how the brake pedal lever is setup on your 37.

[5 Star]

A friend of mine adopted the hydraulic system on his 37 car, which shares the same frame as your truck. He went to the dual system, where as the rears are independant from the front, in case of a line rupture.

He also went with Chrysler spindles, which adapted to the original axle on the 37, used G.M. Calipers, and Rotors. I don't remember what the limiting portioning valve was off of, any way it was from a Ford as he is running a 9 inch Diff.

Like the others have mentioned there are kits out there that are bolt ons to your application.

[knuckleharley]

Originally Posted by Jon Henry

Hi; Could anyone tell me if there's a fairly easy way to upgrade the brakes on a '38 1/2 ton? Will '39 hyd's work or even a bolt-on disc conversion? Thanks for the help!!~JH

Yes,39 brakes will work. In fact,you will need a 39 or 40 brake pedal with the master cylinder to make the swap work.

Most people used 40-48 Ford or Mercury passenger car backing plates,drums,and master cylinders because in the old days they were as common as dirt and about as cheap. Getting pricey and harder to find now,though. Other brakes,like ones from 50's and MAYBE even 60's F-100's will work,too. The big thing to look for are backing plates with the same mounting holes.

Don't get stuck on only using 39 hydraulic brakes because the 39 drums have the same wide bolt pattern as your 38 drums. Although I have never tried it,I see no reason why your 38 drums won't work with 40-48 backing plates. if you want to retain your stock wheels and hubcaps. People used to use the 40 and later drums so they could use the more readily available and cheaper 15 inch tires and rims.

[knuckleharley]

BTW,just in case nobody has told you this,DO NOT USE COPPER BRAKE LINES. Use steel brake lines that you can buy at your local NAPA store in various lengths. Also buy a tubing bender so you can bend it easily. There are all sorts of plastic tubing holders that can be bought at any hardware store to use to mount the lines to the chassis so it doesn't rust. You need to secure it to the chassis so it doesn't vibrate and crack.