M-37 brakes

[squeeky0_50]

Need some info. My truck needs complete brake job, including drums. What would be better, change to disc set up or go with all new parts for the drum set up? I found NOS drums at a couple of places, need some input, disc kits are $500 plus rotors, pads, and have hubs machined. I found Raybestos wheel cylinders on Amazon for $20.45 each. Amy recommendations? Probably looking at $1000 for complete drum job, and $1000 plus parts for disc.

[52 M-42]

My suggestion would be to consider what you plan to do with this truck. Do you plan to restore it to a stock truck and keep it as it was "back in the day"; or, do you plan to repower it, modernize it, or customize it?

If you are planning on keeping it original, then go the drum brake route; and since you are going to be doing a complete brake system overhaul, you really should replace the brake lines and the master cylinder too.

If you are going to modernize the truck in the future, then this becomes your first episode in that project. You will still have to replace the master cylinder (with at least a 2 chamber model, but maybe you'll want either vacuum assist or power brakes) and it would still be very wise to replace the brake lines (I'm sure they are very corroded internally).

So, depending on what you want to do with the truck will determine which brake system you should choose. The disc brakes will cost you more if you do it correctly, but the truck will brake better which you will need if you repower it.

Just something to consider.

[w30bob]

I think 52 hit it right on the head.

bob

[Elwood]

I'd be careful with claims of "NOS" drums. Measuring them with a brake caliper (such as an Ammco 8500) for wear and for out of round will tell you a lot about how much life they have left. Even if they're "NOS", they may be warped from sitting around, and turning them (if you can find a shop that knows how to turn them correctly) will use up some of that thickness.

After collecting a fair amount of drum brake parts, I decided to go disc, at least on the front axle. As 52 M-42 pointed out, it depends on what you want to do with the truck, and since I want a truck that is reasonably accurate, but still driveable, including off road (not Moab off road, but back woods off road), finding usable drum brake parts to keep it functional will be increasingly difficult. Add an M101A1 trailer (without brakes) to the mix, and even the original drum brakes in new condition aren't the best. For me, and for a truck that will be driven regularly, safe stopping is more important than originality.

[just me]

And I am going the drum route myself. Only slightly less money than disc when done right. But even though I don't plan on restoring my truck, I am thinking about the 'next' owner who might want ro restore it. (I just plan on driving the wheels of mine and leaving it as unrestored original as I can)

[Cal_Gary]

I just overhauled mine last Fall and stayed with drums. They're doing fine right now but I may still need to go to discs at some point due to parts shortages.

Since I'm not doing a 100-point restoration I have no problem with upgrading things not readily seen with the naked eye, except for the keen eyes of all of our M37 experts out here! Wiring harness, alternator, 12V conversion, gauges and such (oh, I need the Pertronix kit, don't I)? My truck still looks totally military to anyone walking up to it which is exactly how I want it to be. The disc brake conversion would align with my wishes-better brakes but not easily seen at a glance.

Remember, it's your truck to do with what you see fit....
Gary

[Elwood]

And I am going the drum route myself. Only slightly less money than disc when done right. But even though I don't plan on restoring my truck, I am thinking about the 'next' owner who might want ro restore it. (I just plan on driving the wheels of mine and leaving it as unrestored original as I can)

Future restoration is a valid consideration. The disc brake conversion is not irreversible, certainly no more so than some of the other things that have been done to these trucks over their lives.

I was driving a "restored" Studebaker when the brakes failed while negotiating one of those decreasing radius freeway exit ramps. How I didn't run it off the outside of the turn (and likely roll it down the steep embankment) remains a mystery to me, especially considering the speed and the bias ply tires, but I didn't. I did learn three things: first, good brakes are essential to driving any vehicle, regardless of the age; second, adrenaline is one heck of a stimulant; and third, never assume that someone else's brake work is good to go. Turns out the "professional" who had serviced the brakes just prior had failed to tighten the brake line fitting at the master cylinder.

Some things I'm willing to live with for the sake of authenticity (such as a flathead and a rather limited max speed), but some things I'd rather update (such as a dual-circuit brake system with stopping power up to the task). Whoever inherits my truck after I'm gone will have an ample selection of drum parts to convert it back if he (or she) so desires.