Highflyer - thanks for the info on rear axles and ratios. Makes me feel better about the 3.90. At first I was a bit disappointed because the rear axle was not original, but I plan on driving the truck on the weekends so i imagine a 4.57 or 5.43 would make anything above 40mph a challenge.
The trans is original - "granny-low 4spd".
This question will show my lack of knowledge, but who cares - If the truck does trully have a 3.90 rear axle instead of the original, does that mean the wheel mounts, brakes, etc are all non original also? I'm trying to understand if a rear axle change would include everything all the way out to but excluding the wheels/tires. Assume I know nothing (hard to believe, I know) and please explain from the drive shaft back what it means to have a non original rear axle (exactly what is part of the rear axle).
Geesh, I thought I was getting a fairly original truck (thats if the owner doesn't sell it while I'm on the forum thinking about it...). Turns out the engine is a 235 vis a 216, voltage is 12 vs 6, rear axle / rear end is a 3.90 vs a 4.57. Are these negatives??? I guess if someone is a collector and looking for a "bone stock" vehicle, then its a negative. But for driveability it would seem that these are good modifications. What do you think?
Thanks!
Marc
