1949 F68 brake options?
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2026
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1949 F68 brake options?
Hi I just picked up a '49 F68. It is a total project. Not rusty, good patina overall. Mechanical needs a complete restoration. The 14" rear brake drums are out of spec and new ones seem to be unobtainium. My plan is to keep the truck as original as possible, not necessarily all original but engine and driveline including the solid front axle and the Timken rear end and drum brakes. It just seems if I restomod this truck it will lose the character it has, and I like old stuff. I was looking at options and brainstorming ideas and I found that a 3/4 ton Chevy rear drum system might fit with minor massaging. 3-5/16" mounting hole spacing on the GM rear vs 3-3/8" bolt spacing on the Ford Timken. The GM has 13" or 11" drums vs the Timken 14", this would help get rid of the widowmakers as well. I happen to have access to several GM rear ends for parts. Has anybody done something like this? I also looked into the Dana 60 rear end swap, and will only attempt to go that route once all options to keep the Timken have been exhausted. Thanks in advance.
Parts Nerd Extraordinaire
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,353
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From: Western NY
I can't speak to alternatives, but I have been able to keep my fleet of large trucks alive with original options. Unfortunately, yes, drums are the hardest part. There is no supply of new drums. However, I have successfully harvested serviceable drums with reserves.
You can always reach out and call Chuck at Chuck's Trucks LLC to see what he has available in his ever evolving salvage but usable inventory.
There are also a few forum members here who occasionally pick up truck carcases and salvage safer wheel options and the hard to find parts like drums. You could even obtain a parts truck yourself and part out what you don't need or pass the carcass on after you harvest what you want. Just don't expect this hobby to make any economical sense except writing it off as entertainment or skill development.
Another option to explore is sleeving or building up your out of spec drums. There are places like https://www.jgrelinings.com/about that will add material to the drum and then bring it back into specification.
You can always reach out and call Chuck at Chuck's Trucks LLC to see what he has available in his ever evolving salvage but usable inventory.
There are also a few forum members here who occasionally pick up truck carcases and salvage safer wheel options and the hard to find parts like drums. You could even obtain a parts truck yourself and part out what you don't need or pass the carcass on after you harvest what you want. Just don't expect this hobby to make any economical sense except writing it off as entertainment or skill development.
Another option to explore is sleeving or building up your out of spec drums. There are places like https://www.jgrelinings.com/about that will add material to the drum and then bring it back into specification.
Last edited by bmoran4; Apr 28, 2026 at 08:54 PM.
4wd Low
Joined: Mar 2026
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2026
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Thanks, I'm planning on the Rustic disc brake conversion as well. I find it hard to believe that there was only .020" of wear allowed in the 14" drums. The disc conversion will be much easier to get parts for......at least for now. I have already scoured the old car parts places and wrecking yards to find a Dana 60, haha, it's easier to find original 4.11 for these old Timkens!
4wd Low
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 10
Likes: 2
Thanks, I'm planning on the Rustic disc brake conversion as well. I find it hard to believe that there was only .020" of wear allowed in the 14" drums. The disc conversion will be much easier to get parts for......at least for now. I have already scoured the old car parts places and wrecking yards to find a Dana 60, haha, it's easier to find original 4.11 for these old Timkens!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,165
Likes: 4,767
From: Burbank, WA
I don't recall anyone here using Chevy rear brakes to replace the 14" Lockheeds on their F3's. It would be an interesting option if it works. The Dana 60 from an F250 up to '72 is a bolt in, but through the 50's they didn't have parking brakes incorporated in them. The park brake was a drum on the back of the trans. I'm not sure exactly when Ford moved the park brake back to the axle, but it's something to look for. Most people do the Dana swap because it's simple and cheap with the least amount of fussing with modifications. Welcome to the forum. Keep us posted on your progress. 
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