I need to get some advice from someone who has actually done one so I don't have too many unforseen problems.
I have a 49 chevy 3/4 ton that I'd like to change the rear end out of. I don't want to hot rod, in fact I would like to keep the truck as original as possible.
With that said, for the life of me, I don't know why the speedometer reads as high as 80 mph, I couldn't hit 80 mph if I fell off a cliff. Any way, it's also too hard and too expensive to replace the brakes and drums, that's if I can find the parts.
So the question is what rear end can I put in my truck that will exchange easily and allow me to brake better and to find readily available parts for when needed, and would allow my truck to break the cob webs off the speedo needle, maybe cruise at 65 or 70 mph.
I would like to go with a six lug 1/2 ton setup if possible because there are so many more parts for 1/2 tons vs. 3/4 tons.
Lastly for the purists, after 56 years of this truck being kept original, should I just keep the truck the way it is. I guess what I mean is, did any of you do a rear end change out on a completely original truck only to regret it afterwards? I'd like to hear some input.
Thanks in advance,
Sam
