Brake conversion to modern air brakes

[grendel]

A bit of background. I have a M923A2 that sits around for months on end. I also have a Pete 379 that sits around for the same amount of time.

The M923's brakes always lock up. Like the truck's not moving. Pete always moves.

So, I know what to do to get it moving again...

Anyone swap to a more modern brake design less prone to locking up? Those cams are a very nasty word in my house.

 

[ross165123]

MyothersanM1 did a full air brake conversion on his truck, check that thread out has lots of Juicy Information and pics

Srry I would post the link to it but my phone won't let me

 

[grendel]

MyothersanM1 did a full air brake conversion on his truck, check that thread out has lots of Juicy Information and pics

Srry I would post the link to it but my phone won't let me

Thanks, I did a search but nothing concrete came up.

 

[porkysplace]

Thanks, I did a search but nothing concrete came up.

Go to the members list ( under community on the tool bar SS homepage ) click on members then search
[h=2]MyothersanM1[/h]And then search his posted threads.

 

[grendel]

Go to the members list ( under community on the tool bar SS homepage ) click on members then search
MyothersanM1

And then search his posted threads.

Sorry, I meant before I posted this thread.

I found his thread using your information.

Heck, I am already ordering parts using his information.

 

[MyothersanM1]

Here's the link for others interested. Its here in the 5-ton Mods and Hot Rodding forum.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?140055-M809-series-(M81-Air-Brake-Retrofit

 

[MyothersanM1]

Those cams are a very nasty word in my house.

Did you mean wedges, by chance?

I had to use wedges on the front axle. As of now and to my knowledge, there is no readily available s-cam application for Rockwell top loader steer axles. If something comes about in the future I will upgrade.
I completely rebuilt the fronts and re-lubed with spec grease prior to assembly. There are no spring brakes on the front so the brakes are not fully applied during storage/parked periods.

 

[212sparky]

Don't all the M939 series trucks have the wedge full air brake system on them? The front should have the service air brake chambers and the rear should have the maxi cans with the parking brakes built in. Sounds like your wedges in the back cans need adjusted and lubed to keep them from locking up.

 

[grendel]

Did you mean wedges, by chance?

I had to use wedges on the front axle. As of now and to my knowledge, there is no readily available s-cam application for Rockwell top loader steer axles. If something comes about in the future I will upgrade.
I completely rebuilt the fronts and re-lubed with spec grease prior to assembly. There are no spring brakes on the front so the brakes are not fully applied during storage/parked periods.

You're correct, wedges.

I may go with disk brakes in the front. Some of the bigger Ford 4wd's have them. THere's a few threads on Pirate where folks have adapted them to Rockwells.

Don't all the M939 series trucks have the wedge full air brake system on them? The front should have the service air brake chambers and the rear should have the maxi cans with the parking brakes built in. Sounds like your wedges in the back cans need adjusted and lubed to keep them from locking up.

No, they need to go away (for me anyway). My Pete sits as long or longer and does not lock up.

 

[JohnnyBM931A2]

A bit of background. I have a M923A2 that sits around for months on end. I also have a Pete 379 that sits around for the same amount of time.

The M923's brakes always lock up. Like the truck's not moving. Pete always moves.

So, I know what to do to get it moving again...

Anyone swap to a more modern brake design less prone to locking up? Those cams are a very nasty word in my house.

Sounds like you need to drive it more often.. I run mine every few days, and at least back it up and down the driveway every week.

 

[Robo McDuff]

A bit of background. I have a M923A2 that sits around for months on end. I also have a Pete 379 that sits around for the same amount of time.

The M923's brakes always lock up. Like the truck's not moving. Pete always moves.

So, I know what to do to get it moving again...

Anyone swap to a more modern brake design less prone to locking up? Those cams are a very nasty word in my house.

And for me personally, especially of the Pete. Which year? Why is it sitting around, just hobby or no work for it?

 

[grendel]

And for me personally, especially of the Pete. Which year? Why is it sitting around, just hobby or no work for it?

The Pete is a 86, but is now a parts donor for another project now. I am going to put a 58 Diamond <T> cab on a 2013 Pete 386 chassis and use the Sleeper, 425 HP Cat and 13 speed from the Pete 379 on the new amalgamation.

Sadly, the 8.3L out of this truck we're talking about will go into another Diamond <T> and I may put the 230 Cummins I have kicking around into it. Will probably turbo the 230 if it goes in.

 

[HanksDeuce]

Not sure if anything is different for a 5 ton, but I put F-550 disc brakes on my Bobbed Deuce. I originally left the system powered by my factory air pack, but when the air pack started to leak I converted to a Hydroboost system.

http://hanksdeuce.com/disc_brake_conversion.htm

http://hanksdeuce.com/hydroboost_install.htm

 

[Robo McDuff]

The Pete is a 86, but is now a parts donor for another project now. I am going to put a 58 Diamond <T> cab on a 2013 Pete 386 chassis and use the Sleeper, 425 HP Cat and 13 speed from the Pete 379 on the new amalgamation.

Sadly, the 8.3L out of this truck we're talking about will go into another Diamond <T> and I may put the 230 Cummins I have kicking around into it. Will probably turbo the 230 if it goes in.

Still would be interesting to see pics of that project. I was in love with the old US trucks looooong before I got my military M51A2 5-ton. If I could have chosen between the M51 or a Pete under similar price I would have gone for the Pete without a second thought. Unfortunately, its easier to get an MV in the Netherlands than a Pete (sorry people, the MVs are a good second best ).