Its been discussed but I have not did a search to see if I can find that thread.
Yes, you can make the change. I used a 55/56 pumpkin (truck) to replace the torque tube in my 52 panel. Like you said. Pull the axles, take the torque tube out an install the pumpkin, put the axles back in. The original is probably a 4:11 ratio. The pumpkin I got is a 3:90 ratio, not the best but better. I have heard that SOME 60's had a little higher gear but don't really know what they came in.
You will have to weld the "swivels" so that they do not flex up and down like the original.....or do some other way. I personally cut the old stuff off and slid perch blockd under the original rear end housing and made me a bottom U-bolt plate and used U-bolts. I set my pinion angle at 2deg. negative with the vehicle sitting on the floor with the weight on it. Once its set then weld the perch blocks to the housing. If you do a search I'm sure you'll find plenty to read about setting pinion angle but don't let it scare you. Its no big deal. Note, if you made your "U-bolt plate" its agood time to weld the shock bracket to the inside of the backing plate. The original shock mount was between the spring and inside the tire. I didn't like that and welded a stud to the u-bolt plate. Don't have to worry about it ever rubbing the tire. You may also have to weld a piece to the chassis to fasten the top end of the shock. IF you just weld up the swivels you wont' have to worry about this. Also be sure you get the rearend centered side do side which I'm sure you know to do.
Since you have an open drive shaft do know you'll have to change the tranny so you can hook up the driveshaft?...or are you using a V8?
...also, if your changing wheel size from a 16" to say a modern 15" rim you may want to move the rear end forward or backward to get it sitting in the fender well like you want it. Much has been said about flipping the springs around to move the rear end back about an inch or inch and half since the center spring eye bolt is not exactly in the center.....or makes sure you use the perch blocks from the dodge dealer which has three holes in the bottom of it....a center hole and one more on each side about 1 1/2" toward front or back!
While the pumpkin change is quite simply there are some little things to think about but don't let them overwhelm you. You do what works for YOU. Good luck.
Hope this helps and I'm sure others will chip in along the way. Just remember, measure twice-cut once!!
Last edited by Achipmunk; 06/18/2012 7:29 PM.
