I have a '34 Ford truck that I bought from a guy several years ago. He gave me a list of all the work and parts that he's replaced. He told me that the front brakes are 5 on 4 1/2 '46-'48 Ford. The brakes were old style non-energizing pain in the *** constant adjustment and squirrely braking headache from the git.. I contacted a well known shop regarding a brake upgrade while keeping the 5 on 4 1/2 system. They asked if I had automobile or truck brake set up. So how's a guy to know? The spindle face is round and the spindle mount itself bolts to a somewhat square bolt pattern. They tell me that '48 Ford bolt pattern from the factory is 5 on 5 1/2. Question. How can I find out what the heck I have? I'm trying to go with Bendix brakes on '39 Lincoln or Ford backing plate with Buick finned drums. Can somebody help? I don't need to get parts that don't fit!! HELP !
All early ford brakes are 5x5 1/2 lots of people re-drilled patterns however car and pickup brakes till 47 were the same
My guess would be that they are 40-48 Ford brakes. The exact year will come if you POST PICTURES. Be sure to show the 6 o'clock position on the outside of the backing plates. I bet the the 5 on 4 1/2 will turn out to be a mistake and they are really 5 on 5 1/2 (did you measure them?). It is possible that somebody redrilled them to use later wheels. The brakes are not as bad as you describe if they are rebuilt properly. Lets talk about what is wrong before you tear them out. How is you master cylinder mounted? Charlie Stephens
You can upgrade to 53 - 56 Ford pickup brakes they are self energizing and have the 5 on 5 1/5 pattern. I did that back in the mid 90's and recall it requires a spacer behind the rear wheel bearing and a little grinding on the spindle to clear the hose to the wheel cylinder. Also takes different wheel bearings, been too long since I did it but surly there is someone out there with the complete information
Be sure to check for rim clearance especially if you are running wire wheels. The spacer in the front may push the wheels to far out where they will hit the fenders. I am still waiting for the pictures and info on what is wrong with the existing brakes. Charlie Stephens
Hey Charlie et al. Photos coming. Please bear with me. I'm 72 and had a stroke recently. I have problems reasoning and remembering stuff. I'd like to measure them but don't/can't remember how. Please explain how. Nothing on the hub or spindle suggests that it has been re-drilled. Looks stock to me. The master cylinder was an old Wagner type that served as M/C and the hydraulic clutch. It was mounted on the drivers side firewall. The brake fluid was highly contaminated and removed. I have a new Wilwood 1" 1/4 m/c for manual brakes that will replace the old one. Thanks to all for your help. Your thoughts are appreciated.
I thought you were going to post pictures of the backing plates so we could identify what year brakes you have? Your spindles are definitely not '34. Someone should be able to tell you what they are, I am not familiar with the newer (after '32) stuff. Why do you want to stay 5 on 4 1/2, to match the rear end? From what I see a lot of pictures would probably get you much better answers. Be sure to check out the shop you intend to use in the archives and see if they have a good reputation. Charlie Stephens
The Jalopy Journal
