1949 panel drums and wheels

[dougmayer]

Re: 1949 Chevy 1 ton panel truck model 3800

I need the front and rear brake drums for my truck. The front drums are 12” diameter X 2” wide which receives a 12” X 2” brake pad. The rear drums are 14” diameter X 3” wide which receives a 14” X 2” brake pad. The brakes are the older Huck style. The drums are 8 lug. I would prefer new drums but used drums must not be warped and should be within specification after turning (if needed).

I’ve believe that it looks like the ½ ton rear drums will fit the ¾ ton front drums, and the ¾ ton rear drums will fit the 1 ton front drums. Is there a chance that the 1 ½ (or 2) ton front drums will fit my 1 ton rear drums? I haven’t run across anybody having parts for the larger than 1 ton trucks. Any suggestions?

I have a 1954 1 ton panel truck that might be an alternative for drums. The advantage to this idea is that the brakes are the newer Bendix style brakes which perform better. If I find that the 1954 drums are OK, what needs to be done to interchange the system? It looks like I would need to swap the whole rear end and the front axel. What other modifications will I need to make? Any suggestions?

I also need to do something about the 17” split rims on my truck. Most tire shops do not work on them due to the danger of them blowing out during inflation. I am looking for solid 17” wheels 8 lug. The main problem is that my supplier has run out of the tubes and flaps for the 750 X 17” tires. Do you have a source for tubes and flaps?