Hey all,
So i know this topic has been beaten up a little but im a novice at this aspect of our trucks so...
I have a 1954 3600 that i am looking to swap out the rear axle (4:56 i believe) in to get more highway friendly speeds. Currently i have a 1956 235 engine in it with a stock 4 speed tranny (still havent got the whole shebang running yet, but its there). Id like to keep the wheels 8 lug and the overall truck load rating to still be 3/4 ton. Im posting primarily to get info for my specific year as it seems that the majority of the questions are geared towards '53 and earlier models or 1/2tons.
I have read most of the posts on this site relating to this topic and if my understanding is correct, the rear axles that are fairly interchangeable/desirable with 3/4tons are Dana 60's and GMC 14 bolts with a 4:10 or 3:75 gear ratio.
So my question is, what rear axle should i be looking for in the junkyards that is a good swap, 8 lug, rated at 3/4ton and has gears high enough to drive my truck at around 60-70mph?
*On a side note, i recently found on craigslist an 8 lug Dana 44 front axle off a 3/4 ton 1976 chevy with 4:10 gears and disc brakes that i would potentially like to buy and install in the front of the truck (gets me discs in the front, maybe 4x4 option in the future?). Is there a Dana 60 rear axle with 4:10 gears? or would i need to swap out one or the other gear sets to match the other if i were to buy the Dana 44 for the front? Is this hard? or crazy?
Am i totally confused on the subject? more or less.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Also my work keeps me away from the computer a majority of the time so if i dont respond to a reply quickly please be patient.
Much thanks in advance, pics in my signature,
Chooglin
