Deve seems to often get involved in some details (and philosophical musings) and sometimes makes things seem to be more difficult.
His write-ups are still helpful and very useful.
Sweet's write-up allow you to git-er-done.
I did two A-D 3.55 conversions using Patrick's hard-to-read instructions (one about 15 years ago, I think).
I had a friend/pro with me (who had never worked on a torque-tube).
We had the Shop Manual open/available at all steps.
We had Patrick's terse and hard-to rear installation instructions.
I bought the necessary parts kits, and, indicators/gauges from and Harbor Freight.
I bought a parts kit from Classic Parts (or others, do this).
Spend the money.
My 1954 Suburban is now much quieter, smoother, and more pleasant to drive (cruises easily at 65 mph - last month a 7-8 hour trip each-way to Macungie PA, averaging 60+ mph).
bartamos offers good advice, but I do not understand:
"Parts unavailable?
Making shims, and,
removing welded pins?
Making tools.
High costs?"
All the parts I needed were in the parts kit.
All shims I needed were in the parts kit.
I do not remember removing welded pins (where are they - where were they? On the bearing that needs to be moved/removed for the Oakie bushing/bearing?
We did not have to make any tools, but we used same long plumbing pipes to punch out seals and old old bushings.
I do not know how the costs compare to whatever alternative rear-end/gears-ratios others might install.
I do know that I now have a smooth, quiet, higher-speed, set-up that can be easily maintained for many years/miles.
If there is a reasonable alternative - what is the outcome/result, and, what are the total costs?
