Rhino71 Posted October 5 Report Posted October 5 Hi, I am new to this forum and have been reading a lot. This is a great community of classic loving people! I just purchased a 1951 Dodge truck, its a dually and I was told it was a 1.5 ton. I do not know much about it but it runs good, however brakes will definitely need some attention! Do you know if there are any disc brake kits for the front and any upgrades I can use for the master cylinder etc. Also if you have any information on this specific model can you please share, again I am new and just diving in to gain as much knowledge as I can. 2 Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 5 Report Posted October 5 There is a model/serial# on the drivers door hinge piller... That looks like a nice 1-1/2 truck with 14-1/2" front brakes...16" rear brakes. Might have a frame mounted booster too. Factory -properly rebuilt brakes will work way better than add on disc brakes. There are no disc kits for your truck. Getting the booster rebuilt is the hard part... Good luck with your new toy! 1 Quote
keithb7 Posted October 5 Report Posted October 5 Did these big trucks have the Lockheed concentric brakes? Quote
JBNeal Posted October 5 Report Posted October 5 additional information - Dodge Truck Registry Help additional information - Dodge Truck Registry Model Number Decoder Quote
Brent B3B Posted October 5 Report Posted October 5 (edited) Nice truck I agree with Dodgeb4ya about the booster for these trucks being enough but, I did see that https://www.rustyhope.com says they have a disc brake option for the 1-1/2 and 2ton trucks. My B3GA had a funky booster on it and I took the Midland off my B4GA and use it in the B3GA…I have been happy. Either way…. Keep on truckin 😊 Edited October 6 by Brent B3B Grammar Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 6 Report Posted October 6 (edited) Most of the std 1-1/2 "F" model trucks don't use the booster at all. I now only install/reline my MoPar cars and trucks with old stock deadly asbestos brake linings that actually work and stop properly unlike the modern no stop linings mandated today .. IMO not suitable for brake material on old style brake drums....that can grab, pull hard to the right and really don't safely and quickly slow the drum brake vehicles safely. Edited October 6 by Dodgeb4ya Quote
48Dodger Posted October 6 Report Posted October 6 It sez Washington on the licence plate....is that where you call home? 48D Quote
Rhino71 Posted October 6 Author Report Posted October 6 11 hours ago, 48Dodger said: It sez Washington on the licence plate....is that where you call home? 48D Yes in the PNW I am told the truck has been here since purchased, 1 owner (now 2). Quote
Rhino71 Posted October 6 Author Report Posted October 6 12 hours ago, Dodgeb4ya said: Most of the std 1-1/2 "F" model trucks don't use the booster at all. I now only install/reline my MoPar cars and trucks with old stock deadly asbestos brake linings that actually work and stop properly unlike the modern no stop linings mandated today .. IMO not suitable for brake material on old style brake drums....that can grab, pull hard to the right and really don't safely and quickly slow the drum brake vehicles safely. Thank you all for the comments. Dodgeb4ya I agree the older asbestos brakes are what I will put back on if I can locate a set! JBNeal and Brent B3b I appreciate the links. There isn't a lot of information on these old trucks and any information helps to find out, gearing, transmission, etc.! Thank you! Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 6 Report Posted October 6 (edited) There are guys selling NOS original bulk asbestos lining by thickness, width and by the length. Also if lucky you can find the actual original axle lining sets(kits) with the direct fit linings...rivit on style...type I use. I have also found NOS MoPar linings. Edited October 6 by Dodgeb4ya Pic 1 Quote
B1B Keven Posted October 6 Report Posted October 6 8 hours ago, Rhino71 said: There isn't a lot of information on these old trucks and any information helps to find out, gearing, transmission, etc.! Thank you! https://www.ebay.com/itm/356119026127?_skw=b+series+dodge+truck+book&epid=2321929&itmmeta=01J9J1MDG7X31371MT7YMT2EDK&hash=item52ea5919cf:g:4XcAAOSwUWZnAT5J&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkYSzd65J0iYYvrIwYkk%2BMBVmP%2BDHaa6XIT5zhMszjd6cr6tJrKWIVDneXl7gH1Fgxhaxx2ZvAoWoT%2Becp161hkhZNNgQIMbbPIag%2B7dnwUFgrp3j4fYWXxPL5eNvI%2F7VIJs92tMZIPrrCfN1KiTzbA92uvM2JWqUfgRD6zYKCLgfBtoCwsccMnwT2Q1gB1zQBR5Cnwj9cWRKRbwZT0cbxynAJsUsaMr9hpRaYYt65AfjlcdrqGLwl9AscaHj9rHm0%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7zY0cHMZA 1 Quote
wallytoo Posted October 7 Report Posted October 7 (edited) looks to have a two-speed rear axle, which is a good feature. if it does, it isn't an F rated truck; dodge dropped the FA version in '51. so this is either an HA or GA truck, and probably has the mid-frame brake booster. i have a '48 FA, with the 2-speed and the brake booster. both features are highly desirable and make these medium trucks useful on modern roads (not interstates). as bob pointed out, when the brakes are adjusted correctly on these trucks with the midland booster, they brake very well, even fully loaded. as a guess, i'd say you have a B-3-HA-152. could have a synchro 4-speed, and probably has the 25" 237 motor. the 2-speed rear should be an eaton 1350 (vacuum shift). truck has nice add-on front turn signals and mirrors. Edited October 7 by wallytoo Quote
John-T-53 Posted October 7 Report Posted October 7 (edited) 22 hours ago, Dodgeb4ya said: There are guys selling NOS original bulk asbestos lining by thickness, width and by the length. Also if lucky you can find the actual original axle lining sets(kits) with the direct fit linings...rivit on style...type I use. I have also found NOS MoPar linings. That's the golden ticket right there. Do you rivet them on yourself? Where to get these... Ebey and such? I put 'bestos shoes on the fronts a couple years ago but they were complete units. My parts guy was having them lined down in Columbia or something.... Edited October 7 by John-T-53 Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 8 Report Posted October 8 I buy bulk of ebay...have my shop riveter grinder machine.. 5 Quote
rustyzman Posted December 15 Report Posted December 15 That is a great looking truck in excellent condition! For my 1 ton, the rear shoes took about 5 years to find in the wild on ebay. I have the oddball Timken style they only used for about 2 years on the rear. Fronts were just Lockheed and readily available. I have since obtained extra linings for front and rear and will rivet them on the old shoe cores once I get time, so I have spares. Rear wheel cylinders were an odd bore size too and all modern catalog listings are incorrect for my year. Had to go to Kanter for those, but they had what I needed. Biggest issue that I found was no availability of replacement drums at all. I have snagged a few used ones, but condition is a bit questionable. Better than nothing at all though. If you can, a dual circuit master cylinder would be wise. I am assuming it still has a single pot unit. I found a '75 Chevy 1 ton unit that has the correct bore size but had to make an adapter and new pushrod to get it to work. Certainly feel better about the dual circuit though. Love that relining station there Dodgeb4ya. I have a STAR relining unit in my watch list on ebay that I have no business buying, but man I want it! Quote
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