1948 1/2 Ton

[MarkAubuchon]

Well the cars are done and now its time for the truck. Am running a big block flathead with George Asche goodies. Here are a couple of questions

1. I want to update the rear end, what newer model will fit using the existing spring brackets on the frame

2. Current Front end, I want to convert to Disc brakes, who has the best set up

3. Master Cylinder, who makes a dual set up

PS

Believe it or not, this isn't my first post

[Young Ed]

Mark welcome you could have kept your same login as the car side

As with the cars Charlie makes a good kit. I plan to use one on my next truck project. Don't know of any available dual kits without going to hanging pedals.

[Dennis_MN]

I'm in the process of swapping my rear end but so far it's in the shop for a new pinion bearing and new seals.

I bought a rear end from a Jeep Grand Cheokee with 3.73 gears and it has disk brakes. I have a lot of brackets to cut off and I have a set of spring perches from Northern Hydralics to add to it. I've been told that this will bolt in place and the drive shaft will fit but it is about a 1/2 inch narrow.

This rear end is a Dana 35C and the tubes are less than 3 inches, I forget what they measure now, but the old tubes are 3 inches.

Use the search function and look for rear differential to see some actual experience.

I have Olddaddys kit on the front end and love the way it stops now so I'm looking forward to having discs on all four corners. By the way, for those who have swapped transmissions and are looking for a e-brake, this axle has a e-brake inside the rotors. I don't plan on using this feature.

[41/53dodges]

the jeep cherokee is nearly a bolt-on-bolt swap, except for the spring perches. the u-joint is an exact swap, and the brakes work fine. i finished mine over the winter, and it truly is worth it. the only difference is about .75" narrower on each side, nobody will ever notice. if you need any help on this, dont be afraid to ask.

[MarkAubuchon]

Is there a specific year of jeep to look for for the rear end? With 4 wheel disc will the single master cylinder handle them?

[Dennis_MN]

I think the specific point is that you need to look for the Grand Cherokee to have a shot at finding the right 3.73 ratio

My checking shows that the 4 wheel disk brakes started around 1992

Mine came from a 1997. I don't know the answer about the master cylinder

but the rear axle currently has TWO wheel cylinders on each wheel so I'm figuring that the caliper size will be a trade off. We'll see if the theory holds.

Dennis

Edited October 14, 2010 by Dennis_MN
corrected word

[41/53dodges]

my 3.55 came from a 96' and it only has 1 cylinder per wheel w/drum brakes. the best way to do this is the way i started all this, just go take measurements until you find what you want. just out of curiousity, was i the 1st to do this? mine was done last spring/summer, and it seems like everybody else followed. how many others have done this?

[Dennis_MN]

my 3.55 came from a 96' and it only has 1 cylinder per wheel w/drum brakes. the best way to do this is the way i started all this, just go take measurements until you find what you want. just out of curiousity, was i the 1st to do this? mine was done last spring/summer, and it seems like everybody else followed. how many others have done this?

Yours must have come off of a plain Cherokee, 4 wheel disks are on the "grand cherokee" You provided the inspiration, I liked the idea of the match up with the drive shaft. I need to accumulate a little cash over the winter so that I can buy around $500 worth of new brake components to out fit the rear end.

The axle that I bought was pretty much trash including a bad pinion bearing but I only started with a $100

[41/53dodges]

ouch. i paid $75 for one in need of some fluid and a gasket w/ new brakes & 75000 miles. kinda wish i coulda gotten one with a posi.

[Plymouthy Adams]

typically the 3.73 ratio was used in 4 wheel drive versions...so if this is the ratio you need..start with these..else 3.55 may be more the item you will find in a 2 wd version

[Merle Coggins]

I believe the later model Grand Cherokee's use a 5 x 5" wheel pattern. I don't know when it started but I've seen it listed for the later 90's and early 2000's. Also, Josh (41/53dodges) mentioned that the u-joints matched right up. Keep in mind he has a '53 which uses the later version u-joint which is commonly available, and apparently is the same size that Jeep uses. Dennis, your '49 truck most likely uses the other type of u-joint that is not easy to find. I doubt that the Jeep input flange will match up to your u-joint like it did for Josh.

Merle

[Plymouthy Adams]

Good point Merle...here is what I found: I personally have a set of the Jeep Canyon wheels fully modified to retrofit to my 51 Plymouth wagon...

Jeeps with 5 on 4.5

* 84-01 Cherokee (XJ)

* 86-92 Comanche (MJ)

* 93-98 Grand Cherokee (ZJ)

* 02-06 Liberty (KJ)

* 97-06 Wrangler (TJ)

* 87-95 Wrangler (YJ)

* 04-06 Wrangler Unlimited (TJ/LJ)

Jeeps with 5 on 5" Bolt Pattern:

* 06-08 Commander (XK)

* 99-04 Grand Cherokee (WJ)

* 05-08 Grand Cherokee (WK)

* 07-08 Wrangler (JK)

* 07-08 Wrangler Unlimited (JK)

Jeeps with 5 on 5.5" Bolt Pattern:

* 46-86 CJ (All Models)

* 63-73 Full Size Cherokee/Wagonner (SJ)

* 62-71 Galdiator Series Truck (All Models)

Jeeps with 6 on 5.5" Bolt Pattern:

* 74-83 J-10 Series Truck (All Models)

* 74-83 Full Size Cherokee/Wagoneer (SJ)

Jeeps with 8 on 6.5" Bolt Pattern:

* 74-83 J-20 Series Truck (All Models)