Front Axle

[ShannonR]

I am trying to change by 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton and need to swap out the front axle.  What I need is a 1955 dodge B1 front axle with hubs and spindle.  I havent been able to find that year.  Does anyone know if an axle for a 1946 will work?

[ggdad1951]

um...a 55 is not a B1.  B1 was in 1948...?

 

"B" series trucks were 1948-1953 and were called Pilot House trucks.  1954 and after were "C" series trucks...please post a picture so we can help identify what you have.

 

[Radarsonwheels]

I have a ‘54 3/4 ton. The spindles had bigger wheel bearings than the 1/2 ton but it still took 5 lug 4.5” bolt circle wheels. Why do you want to change the axle? If you want it lower or a softer ride you can take out a few leaves from the spring. 

[NiftyFifty]

Some 3/4 ton had the big 6 bolt design, which is hard to find rims for, as well as you cannot use the front disc brake conversion kits if that’s also in the future of the truck.

[Jeff Balazs]

US made B series (if it is?) 3/4 ton trucks are all 5 x 5" x 15" with 9/16" studs. No real problem doing a disc brake conversion. And the front wheels will be the same size as the rears......

Jeff

 

[NiftyFifty]

48 minutes ago, Jeff Balazs said:

US made B series (if it is?) 3/4 ton trucks are all 5 x 5" x 15" with 9/16" studs. No real problem doing a disc brake conversion. And the front wheels will be the same size as the rears......

Jeff

 

 

Is the spindle not larger then the 1/2 ton making the kit Rusty Hope sells impossible to install?  5 x 4.25 pattern is also much easier to get rims for.

[Dodgeb4ya]

5 hours ago, NiftyFifty said:

Some 3/4 ton had the big 6 bolt design, which is hard to find rims for, as well as you cannot use the front disc brake conversion kits if that’s also in the future of the truck.

Only the D series trucks  had the six bolt 7-1/4" bolt pattern wheels. No "C"  3/4 ton models had six bolt wheels.

In 1950 or 51 the king pins and spindles were a bit larger in size... for king pins early models up to say 1950 used a 1" kin pin top and bottom steel expansion plug and later models used a 1-1/16" plug.

Wheel bearing size changed to a bigger size too after certain production dates after 1950... B2 to b3 and b4 models.

You have to measure what you got to know this info.

Edited September 8, 2018 by Dodgeb4ya

[Jeff Balazs]

1 hour ago, NiftyFifty said:

 

Is the spindle not larger then the 1/2 ton making the kit Rusty Hope sells impossible to install?  5 x 4.25 pattern is also much easier to get rims for.

Rusty Hopes kit works for the 3/4 ton....but not the 1 ton. You do have to use an adaptor/spacer so a bit more work than 1/2 ton conversion. But the big plus is you can use the stock rims which will take a 235/75R/15 radial which is an easy tire to obtain. And it just looks and feels right. I drive mine every day......and the disc brakes have been flawless and maintenance free for 14000 miles so far.

Jeff