[john miller]

One of these days I will be changing out the front axle on my 27 since I like the idea of having front brakes. Definitely hydraulic and maybe even upgrading to disc. What would be the easiest swap? I was reading that an early 40's to mid 50's 1/2 ton pickup would be a direct bolt in. This true, anybody ever done this?   

[woodremover]

Hey John
              I guess the thing you need to figuire out is how wide your axle is! I have a 34 pu and I am going to change out the front axle for hydralic brakes.The axle's are the same from 34-46 in the truck's. I never checked to see how far back they fit. Hydralic brakes were standard in 1936 
I can give you some picture's and measurment's if you like. Also in 39 they went to   tapered  fitting's tie rods sterring arms etc hope this help's joe mac

[john miller]

Thanks for the reply.
According to the '27 repair manual it measures 51 7/8" kingpin to kingpin. This site (http://www.droppedaxles.com/CHEVY_AXLES.html) has some good pictures and measurements. The 41-55 1/2 ton truck axles measure 50 1/2" and the spring pad center to center measurement of 26 3/4" is really close to what I measured on the '27 axle.

I thought that I remembered reading on "the hamb" that someone did a bolt on swap with a truck axle but can't find it know.

[themoose]

Maybe this will help....The site has dimensions for early Chevy axles for both total width king pin to king pin and spring perch width.
http://droppedaxles.com/CHEVY_AXLES.html