An alternative might be a swap to a 55-57 Chevy passenger car rear end housing. The center section is interchangeable from 55-64, and gearsets are readily available that include ratios like 3.70, 3.55, 3.36 and even 3.08 if you want to give up any hauling capacity or trailer towing ability. It's possible to get axles made with 6-lug flanges, or convert the front to 5 lugs with early 1950's Chevy passenger car hubs. Disc brake conversion kits are also available for the tri-5 rear end housings.
Jerry
