I'm collecting parts for my modified project. I'll be running a banjo rear end and 39 to 48 hydraulic brakes. Just lucked into the running gear from a 38 Ford pickup; front and rear axle ***emblies and four wide five wheels with caps. My question. Can I use the 38 wide five brake brums with 39 to 48 hydraulic brack backing plates, etc.? I really like the wide five look.
99% sure the answer is yes. I think the '37 through '39 drums are all the same and will work with '39 through '48 brake hardware. I set up my T using '38 drums and later hydraulic brakes.
I have heard stories that there were some with interfearence issues with certian hubs, but I have not seen it. The rearend I started with I can date as '37-8 as it had cable brakes. I have the prewar, double adjustable '39-42 back plates and have seen no such problem, one piece drum-hub. I also have some 2 piece drum / hub and tried them also, no problem there. The p***enger car ratio usually came with 3:78, and the pickups usually were 4:11 as I understand it. If you are lucky it comes with 4.5" rims, I have never seen one yet and have a pile of them all 4", 4.5 was a pickup option and kinda scarce I understand. If you want big tires you will have to get them widened.
Thanks!! I'm feeling good. Of course the drums could be junk. Which means anything out of this that is good; spindles, axle bells, etc. becomes tradeing material. Around here a lot of old rims are deeply rust pitted inside. The outsides look OK. So I won't know what I have untill the tires are pulled. Rodrelic - If they are four-and-a-half wides I will send you a picture. That would be good for the front. But in back I will need a little more. Is there a wider wheel band that will work with the 38 centers? 4.11s are a little deep I think. I'll be running an Olds 215 and 700R-4 ******. I have been thinking about one of the Wilson Welding and Machine quick changes but that is more money than I care to spend right now. I've got a lead on a rear end from a 40 ambulance. Most likely a 4.11 also. If I keep lookin I'll find a post war with the 3.43(?) gear set. They are around.
i dont know the answer off the top of my head but what to look for is if the pads are in the same place on the backing plates. there is usually about seven or so. the wheels cyclinder should be in the same spot. measure out the drums and the braking surface to see if they are the same. and where the E brake cables go in. and that should be what you need to get your answer. skootch at Skratch's garage
Wide 5 drums: 1937-39 are the same. 1936 fronts NOT useable for hydraulic. 1936 rears are listed in the catalog as replaced by '37-d drum, so it interchanges back for sure and most likely is useable with hydraulics--anyone done it to be sure? Many drums will have the PN prefix on the hub. "78" would be on 1937, "68" on 1936. There are doubtless several other drums out there, as wide fives were used on 3/4-1 ton trucks for some time after '39. Haven't researched them.
if it where me i would just find 39 p***enger car hubs and backing plates. i am pretty sure the old push and pray brake hubs will not interchange.if you what a little wider wide 5 wheel the truck wheels are wider
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