Just bought an old 1955 Metro-Mite step van that should be an awsome tailgating vehicle. It has original drivetrain, and the wheels have a large lug-pattern, 5 on 8"! I would like to lower it and go to modern wheels and brakes. It has a dropped axle up front, and I wonder if I could convert the hubs to disc brakes and a commeon bolt pattern? If so, I would imagine that the rear hubs could be swapped as well, or i could swap in a late model Ford or Chevy truck axle. Appreciate any ideas.
Probably be better off swapping the entire axles, and that might lead to to think about swapping the frame... How wide is the truck? does it have duals in back?
Same width as pickup axles...around 70" or so. Single rear wheels. I think it makes sense to keep the dropped front axle, as I would like to lower it a bit from where it is now. If I could find a disc brake setup that would bolt up to the front axle, I think that would be a good solution. There isn't a lot of room beteen the axle and frame; I think swapping in a straight axle would raise the front end...I could send a picture if that would be helpful...
You're not likely to find any disk brakes that will bolt on, although you might be able to adapt something. Probably will take a bunch of research to find appropriate parts, and some work to make the brackets, etc. Then you still have to find new king pins, spring bushings and shackles, steering parts, etc because that stuff is likely to be all worn out. The big 3 quit using straight axles in 3/4 ton trucks before they switched to disk brakes. But there are some newer HD one ton trucks and 1-1/2 ton motorhome ch***is with disk brakes on dropped beam axles. And Ford used their twin I beam setup for years with disk brakes on it. Not likely that the king pins are the same as an old international though.
the stock bolt pattern is like a Ford - Dodge and Studebaker - 50's to early 60's 1 ton trucks ....keep your look out for one of those Toyotoe campers or stake bed duellies they made a while back....it should be the same bolt pattern - but they came in 14 inch.....a quick way to lower and get cheaper tires....I ran a big 1 ton International panel for years - it had BIG brakes....so shouldn't be a prob - might just want to add a power booster....
Thanks for the advice; it seems that the Toyotas run a 6-lug wheel, and I have 5-lug, so the search continues...
Wheels... Stockton Wheel, http://www.stocktonwheel.com/heavy_duty_wheels.htm As for suspension, start buying issues of Street Rodder. What you're planning is a common modification on old Fords and Dodges. Many of the parts you are trying to buy are already manufactured to be bolt-ons. I have a '52 I'm looking at the same stuff.
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