The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 47-55.1 '52 3800 disc brakes

dsraven · 12-19-2023, 10:57 PM

before doing anything I recommend to check the parts you have to ensure they are free of defects and wear etc. sometimes the old trucks took a good whallop when a youngster was learning to drive or whatever, or you may need a complete rebuild on the kingpins and bushings, spring pins and bushings etc. then i would contact a machine shop with some pics of what you have and what you want to make from it. see if anybody will give you a price and time line. you may want to have the kingpins done at the same time since most guys don't have the tools to install the new bushings without damaging them and also don't have the reamer and guide set to finish the bushings to fit the new kingpins. ask for the all in price on an actual quote so they will include everything they think they will need, shop sundries etc. then do a feasability study on whether it's worth doing all the work and spending the cash on parts and machine work.
there was a fella on the forum who did disc brakes on his 8 lug truck. have you seen that thread?

12-19-2023, 10:57 PM	#5
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 7,870	Re: '52 3800 disc brakes before doing anything I recommend to check the parts you have to ensure they are free of defects and wear etc. sometimes the old trucks took a good whallop when a youngster was learning to drive or whatever, or you may need a complete rebuild on the kingpins and bushings, spring pins and bushings etc. then i would contact a machine shop with some pics of what you have and what you want to make from it. see if anybody will give you a price and time line. you may want to have the kingpins done at the same time since most guys don't have the tools to install the new bushings without damaging them and also don't have the reamer and guide set to finish the bushings to fit the new kingpins. ask for the all in price on an actual quote so they will include everything they think they will need, shop sundries etc. then do a feasability study on whether it's worth doing all the work and spending the cash on parts and machine work. there was a fella on the forum who did disc brakes on his 8 lug truck. have you seen that thread?