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| | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 22 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 22 | Anyone know what GM rear will swap with the 48 1/2 ton Chevy pickup torque tube rear?
If the dash ain't steel, it ain't real!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Are you staying torque tube?
If so 1948-54. 1954 will be a 3.9 ratio instead of 4.11
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
A 3.55 ring and pinion gears can be swapped for the 4.11 gears.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 22 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 22 | Not staying torque tube. I want an open drive line.
If the dash ain't steel, it ain't real!
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 388 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 388 | the 55-59 should be bolt in swap (other that switching to open drive). Someone will correct me if I am wrong though
Last edited by GMJager; 10/04/2014 1:07 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 15 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 15 | i used a chevelle el camino on my friends ad 73-77 then redrilled the axles to six lug | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 639 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 639 | I hate to (have to) say this, but do a search. There is enough info on rear end swaps on this forum to keep you busy reading for a month. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,094 | If you can find a first edition 55 AD style truck. the rear end with the springs it is an open rear end and will bolt in.
Tommy
59 apache 1/2t
261 short stepside
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | the 55-59 should be bolt in swap (other that switching to open drive). Someone will correct me if I am wrong though That is correct, but you would not necessarily have to swap the entire rear, only the third member would be needed to get open drive and 3.90 gears. The pivots would need to welded up as well. Coupled with an overdrive transmission, the 3.90 gear is a great all around ratio.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,275 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,275 | If you swap a 55-59 axle on a set of 54 and earlier springs, will the axle be located in the stock position (forward of center of wheelwell)?
Last edited by 52Carl; 10/05/2014 2:39 AM.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Since swapping the entire housing would require installing new spring pads to the housing ('55-'59 is spring over axle, rather than spring under like the '47-'54), you could easily set it up to sit where you want it. The center section swap would keep it in the stock location, as the housing itself is not changed.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 388 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 388 | the 55-59 should be bolt in swap (other that switching to open drive). Someone will correct me if I am wrong though That is correct, but you would not necessarily have to swap the entire rear, only the third member would be needed to get open drive and 3.90 gears. The pivots would need to welded up as well. Coupled with an overdrive transmission, the 3.90 gear is a great all around ratio. Thanks for including that LONGBOX. the center section of the 55-59 will swap, and the pivot points on the axle housing would need welded up. Or as someone else mentioned... the 55.1 rear end is a complete swap in. Thats what I did. I had to drill new holes in my spring perch pads to relocate the rear exle to the center of the wheel well | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,275 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,275 | Since swapping the entire housing would require installing new spring pads to the housing ('55-'59 is spring over axle, rather than spring under like the '47-'54), you could easily set it up to sit where you want it. The center section swap would keep it in the stock location, as the housing itself is not changed. Thanks Bill. I wasn't aware of the spring-over-axle on the 55-59. Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
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