'36 pickup king pin interchange

C

Carbroke

Member
Maybe someone here has run into this and knows the answer.

I'm rebuilding the front suspension on my '36 pickup. I'm putting '39 juice brakes on it and pulling the mechanical brakes and hardware.

I want to R&R the king pins, and no longer need the cups on the pins to accommodate mechanical linkage. So, looking at Mac's, there is a part number 48-3111 which is the stock king pin kit.

But they also have a needle bearing version for 37-41 pickups, 78-3111-R.

Does that interchange for the '36 axle if you don't use mechanical brakes?

Mac's technician said that the pins of 78-3111-R are 5 1/4" totall height and a dia. of .690" (roughly 11/16"). Anybody know if those dimensions are good for a '36 spindle/axle?
 
No offense to the gentleman on the 'phone but "technician" might be too strong a title. I think we are witnessing one of the hazards of hiring individuals at minimum, or low wage, rather than an experienced person who knows the product line. I'm not faulting him, rather I blame Mac's or any other firm that does this.
Anyway, Model A and V-8 king pins are all .813 diameter so yes, the '37-'41's will work. Later V-8 pins, the '42-'48 are a 1/2" longer and you do not want those.
The .690 dimension he mentioned would be at top and bottom and is necked down from the .813 to accommodate the roller bearings. The portion that is in the axle will be at the full diameter of .813.
 
Buy them from an NOS or NORS vendor like Ray Helger in RI, Southside Obsolete in MN, Dennis Carpenter NOS, in NC, or Tracy in Arlington TX among many others, that way you don't end with junk from China. Others may more suggestion because I forgot a few.
 
Actually this is a simple task. Your option is to use the 37-40 spindles in conjunction with your brakes then use the 37-41 king pins, Dont worry about Off shore king pins most of us sell the ones made in the USA. There is no such measurement as .690 all car king pins are .812. If you want to retain the wide 5 look wheels you must use 1937-39 drums on the front. The spacing on the 36 front drums will not match the hydraulic backing plates.

Or you can use the stock 36 spindles and a spacer ring to center the backing plates and redrill the backing plate holes to match the spindles. I offer a king pin made especially for the use of Hydraulic brakes and A -36 spindles . It mounts the bearing on top like the 28-36 style but does not have the interference with the cup. The needle bearing kits sound like a good idea but really arent, actually you need some friction in the kingpin bushing to prevent shimmy.
 
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