SoTxBoTi, Since your '55 has the six lug wheels I assume it is a 1/2 ton which means it is semi-floating. I don't think there is a "no floating" design. I'm no expert on this but I assume that semi-floating refers to the outer end of the axle shaft carries weight(i.e. doesn't float in the bearings) and the inner end of the shaft does not carry weight(does float). The full floating axle doesn't carry weight at either end. I would think that the Semi-floating 14 bolt with it's larger 9.5" ring gear would have to be a tougher rear than the smaller 12 bolt unit. Probably not neccesary for your application though. I'm a firm believer in the old engineering axiom of building it three times as strong as it needs to be though. Saves headaches further down the road.
