Brake conversion on a '36 1.5 ton
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Calgary Canada
Brake conversion on a '36 1.5 ton
Hey folks, it's been a long time since I've been on the boards, but I haven't forgotten the rules. I already did a couple of searches, and haven't quite found what I'm looking for.
I have a 1936 1.5 ton that I actually want to put into some sort of "light duty" service, but I want to retain the big-truck feel, therefore, keeping the duals.
I do not, however, have much interest in keeping the mechanical brakes. I want hydraulic. I've seen lots of info on converting 1/2 tons, but not the bigger ones. Can this be accomplished by swaping axles? Just brake parts?
I will be keeping an "original" drive train, (i.e. flathead power, original transmission), I just want to be able to stop.
I'm not scared of any amount of work, be it fab or otherwise, so what are my options?
Mike in Calgary
I have a 1936 1.5 ton that I actually want to put into some sort of "light duty" service, but I want to retain the big-truck feel, therefore, keeping the duals.
I do not, however, have much interest in keeping the mechanical brakes. I want hydraulic. I've seen lots of info on converting 1/2 tons, but not the bigger ones. Can this be accomplished by swaping axles? Just brake parts?
I will be keeping an "original" drive train, (i.e. flathead power, original transmission), I just want to be able to stop.
I'm not scared of any amount of work, be it fab or otherwise, so what are my options?
Mike in Calgary
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From: Orange County, CA
An easy way to go about getting juice brakes on the truck would to use the axles from a '39 or later big truck. In high school shop my instructor brought in a '38 1.5 ton and we converted it to juice brakes using the axles from a '46 1.5 ton truck. Rebuilt the front with new king pins and such and swapped them. This also allows you to retain the stock wheels, I believe, at least it did on the '38.
For the M/C we used a cylinder from a late '70 GM, I think, and a universal adjustable stop light switch. Worked quite well, was in use for a few years until he switched to an IFS.
For the M/C we used a cylinder from a late '70 GM, I think, and a universal adjustable stop light switch. Worked quite well, was in use for a few years until he switched to an IFS.
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When making the conversion to a later (1940-47) rear axle setup, you'll also need to get a later 4 speed trans with the tailshaft emergency brake or locate the parts to modify your trans, since 1939 was the last year the parking/emergency brake system was cabeled to the rear brake shoes. A small detail, but one to be aware of.
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Junior User
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From: Calgary Canada
If that is the case with the e-brake, then I'm thinking that I could lose the torque tube, (i.e. open drive shaft), and hook the e-brake lever up to a driveshaft mounted brake on the input shaft of the differential. This way I could keep the transmission that I've already got.
Thoughts?
Mike
Thoughts?
Mike
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Not being familiar with the 36 1.5 ton trucks I just assumed they were open driveshaft no torque tube. The 40-47 truck rear ends will be open driveshaft. It may be cheaper to use a later 4 speed with brake rather than fabricating one at the differential. No one wants the 4 speed trannies. I've seen decent ones at local meets for as little as $50.00. The trick will be to find the hardware that goes with the driveshaft brake. TAV8CarsNParts@aol.com in Colorado has some old Ford truck iron-might be able to help.
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From: Calgary Canada
My '36 does have a torque tube...but none the less...a four-speed might be more usefull to me, (extra gear and all), are they available with the PTO? I'm trying to turn mine into a small pickup/delivery unit and want to put a small hydraulic powered crane on the truck. (I intend to pull a short gooseneck trailer as well, hence the required brake upgrade).
I don't have a problem putting in a four-speed, I just thought it might be easier to stick with the transmission that I have.
Mike
I don't have a problem putting in a four-speed, I just thought it might be easier to stick with the transmission that I have.
Mike
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The original 4 speed is a straight cut gear non synchromesh transmission. First gear is so low that you can practically walk beside the truck when its engaged. Great for pulling stumps!! Be aware that "double clutching" is mandatory with this trans. I believe all the 4 speed trans have a plate on the case that can be removed and a PTO unit bolted on. (My 4 speed has this feature) I've only ever seen one PTO unit on e-Bay, so they might be a rarity. You might want to consider a later (48-53) 4 speed trans. I'm know nothing about them, but somewhere in that timeframe Ford synchroed the truck trans which would greatly facilitate your daily usage. In the process of a body off restoration on my 40 one ton express I swapped out my 4 speed for a 49 Merc O/D trans to make driving my truck more pleasurable. If you live in an area (like LA) where stop and go traffic is a fact of life there's nothing like a synchroed trans. My left leg can attest to that.
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From: Minnesota
After '48 Ford supposedly did make some syncro 4 spds and they also did continue to put the older non-syncro 4 spds in the trucks. I know of several non-syncro trannies in junk yard trucks here in MN. If you look for the newer tranny don't just expect the newer one to be syncro -- check before you buy.
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Junior User
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From: Calgary Canada
I'm not expecially concerned with syncro or not, I drive big trucks with straight cuts and don't use the clutch anyway, it's all in the revs, as they say.
To get a decent road speed out of it I was planning on using an gear-vendors under/overdrive unit. Then I'll even be able to split gears shifting up!
I think this will be one cool pickup/delivery unit when I get it done.
Thank's for all the help everybody!
If there are anymore opinions on the brake job out there I'd be glad to hear them!
Mike
To get a decent road speed out of it I was planning on using an gear-vendors under/overdrive unit. Then I'll even be able to split gears shifting up!
I think this will be one cool pickup/delivery unit when I get it done.
Thank's for all the help everybody!
If there are anymore opinions on the brake job out there I'd be glad to hear them!
Mike
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