The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline T5 installation using closed driveshaft?

I have installed one in my 1952 half-ton pickup. If you can find a GM 12 bolt rear with a gear ratio that works correctly with the ratio chain in your T5 the swap is really nice. Those rear ends are still very serviceable, by the way. If you get the wrong ratios it can vary between not so good to irritating. The first gear overall ratio is crucially important especially if you (a) will be hauling anything and/or (b) if you're doing a good bit of start/stop driving. An overall ratio of high 11 to 12 in first gear is very good for a pickup (what GM used for years). The fifth gear overall ratio is also important...particularly if you are using a 235 or other inline six. If you get as close as possible to the same final overall ratio you would have had with a common 3 speed with overdrive (2.60 or up to 2.73) you'll do fine in fifth gear. If you get much below 2.60 fifth gear won't work quite as well for you. You can adjust this somewhat by choosing different tire diameter, but please watch out for tire width. Wide is worse with a stock front end as it messes with your geometry and such. Lugnutz can tell you more. Good luck!