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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 12 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 12 | What center section can be swapped into my 1941 chevy 1/2 ton delivery trucks rear end to convert to open driveline?
Todd Touchberry
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | 1955-62 Chev 1/2 ton, and some GMC's.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | You should make sure that you secure the spring perches if you install an open driveline. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 496 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 496 | I've wanted to make the switch to an open driveline myself and have read that you need to reposition the spring perches. However, I've never been able to understand what is involved or why. I've looked at my truck (1953, 3100) and there isn't anything attached to the 3rd member that would be removed if I made the swap to a later open driveline model. My truck is not currently driveable (I bought it that way), so it leaves me unsure if something is missing or if I am simply not understanding the issue. Can someone please help me to understand what is actually impacted by the switch and why? Also, pics would be a huge help for me.
Thanks! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,275 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,275 | You need to set the pinion angle on your replacement axle, then weld on spring perches to the axle. The perches from Classicparts have two holes to choose from to locate the axle. The off-center hole, placed to the rear of the axle tube will locate the axle close to the factory position.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 496 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 496 | What if I am simply replacing the differential? I've read that you can use a late 50's-early 60's differential that will bolt into the existing axle housing. Do you still need to adjust the pinion angle? Is the angle that the axle currently sits at incorrect if you change the differential? Sorry to be so thick headed about this, just not experienced in it. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 182 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 182 | The original axle housing has spring perches that allow the axle housing to rotate. The torque tube controls the rotation of the axle housing. Once you get rid of the torque tube, there is nothing to prevent the axle housing from rotating and changing the pinion angle. Therefore, you need to rigidly attach the axle housing to the springs at the correct angle. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,780 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,780 | Once you get rid of the torque tube, there is nothing to prevent the axle housing from rotating and changing the pinion angle. That happens to be "changing the pinion angle" to the point of destroying the driveshaft- - - -about half a turn of the housing. The pivots have rubber bushings in them and they're a P I T A to weld. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
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