Rebuilt the master cylinder,and it works great!

[Chunk]

The stock brake system works VERY well on these trucks when properly adjusted.,and bled. I hear alot of bad things about the stock brake systems on the M37 from many people,but I think it can be contributed to the owner of the truck not taking the time to do it right when it comes to the brake adjustment,proper bleeding of the system,and making sure things are within specs. . I won't be changing mine to disc brakes any time soon. The designers a Chrysler did a great job designing this truck.

[Nickathome]

I feel the same way. My truck's brakes work just fine. I guess those who complain about the stock braking system, are expecting the brakes on an M37 to act like a modern vehicle's power assisted disc brakes, and stop the truck on a dime. Well that won't happen, but properly adjusted, they work well.

[Chunk]

The only thing non-stock on my truck is the delco 10si alternator I put on about two months ago.Alot of things were brought up about the single wire alternators and how they don't work all that well,and how a three wire system is better,blah,blah,blah,etc,etc . Well I can tell you one thing for sure...The one wire alternator works flawlessly. Sure its not factory stock,but I can always put the original back in if I so desire.I'll have to say that if there is one thing on the M37 that can use an upgrade,its the generator. Back to the brakes... These old trucks,like most any older vehicle,go to hell when they just sit and do nothing.If more folks would get out and drive/enjoy they're M37's,it would stay in better shape.

[Nickathome]

My truck too had been updated to an alternator at some point. My truck has other non-standard items like an electric fuel pump, etc. I don't really care too much about that stuff, but to upgrade to disc brakes, or drop in a v-8 engine, etc is just too over the top for me.........Small details I can live with ,but obvious things like disc brakes, no......

[HingsingM37]

I was also surprised by how well the brakes stopped these trucks after hearing all of the bad press. My dad had a 1980 Chevy 1/2 ton with manual brakes that was harder to stop than my M37. So far I have no gripes about the stock system. The only mod I did was the dual circuit m/c

[Jim Branson]

Deciding on stock or disc brakes should be on how you use the truck. If your truck will never see under water or under mud stock brakes will work. If you seriously off road the truck you will have to maintence the brakes frequently because of the 1950's brake technology. The military had the motor pool constantly keeping these trucks adjusted because of the way they were used. I have one truck with and one without disc brakes, and find the one with discs is more dependable when stopping which makes it much more enjoyable to drive when you know you will stop after going through a Florida swamp!

[W_A_Watson_II]

I believe Jim is right. My conversion to Disc brakes wasn't because I was unhappy with the stock brakes, as I've found them to work great on my 49 Power Wagon. However my M was built for some hard use/play and I have a fear of not being able to stop, so I went with Disc all the way around on the M. My Mods were not because I felt the Dodge Engineers had it wrong, but because I felt more comfortable with my changes for my use/maintenance.

[Lifer]

In a stock truck, the stock drum brakes work just fine. The "problem" most younger drivers have with them is inexperience. Someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but I seriously doubt if there are any modern cars or pickups with manual brakes any more. Everyone has learned to drive with power brakes and has had no experience at all with what used to be called "standard" brakes. (Same thing applies with automatic vs "standard" transmissions.) Experience is the key. "Standard" brakes work just fine. You just have to remember to maintain a safe following distance, begin to brake sooner, and push harder on the pedal. Afterwards, be very careful when getting back into your daily driver after spending a few hours playing with the M. If you push on your brakes as hard as you did in the M, you'll lock 'em up and be forced to wear a sh_t eating grin for a while.