| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,050 Posts1,055,671 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466
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!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 22 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 22 | On my 59 Apache 1/2 ton Stepside, all the info on line says it has 3.90 gears in the rear end with the 235 engine.
During driveline rebuild, counted the teeth, ring had 40 & Pinion had 10. So that s a 4.10 right ???
Really like to put some Taller gears in it, but with a 3 on the tree, afraid 1st gear will be Too tall and have to burn up my new clutch.
Am I figuring ratio wrong ???
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,897 | Count again... As far as I am aware, a 4.0:1 gear was never offered. 40/10=4.
A 3 speed with overdrive will bolt in place. It is really a 4 speed transmission, but the od is either operated with a cable, or an electric solenoid. This also allows for gear splitting. The transmissions can be found used for relatively short money. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 | The standard 3:90 gearset has 39&10, the 4:11 gearset has
37&9. An original OD equipped truck would have had an 4:11 gearset all others would be 3:90. The standard 3sp and 3sp/OD transmission 1'st gear ratio is 2:94 to 1.
I have personal knowledge of a 57 truck using the aftermarket 3:38 gearset and a 56 car using a 3:08 gearset. Both have 235 engines and perform well with the stock 3 speed trans.
I feel the best solution is the 3 sp/OD.
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | I agree with Fred. There was also an option 3.70 Economy gear option in '58 and '59, plus the factory 3.38 that was used on Hydramatic trucks.
The overdrive/3.90 combination works great.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 22 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 22 | U guys were right.... its a 3.90 rear end. the guy doing the engine work miss counted the teeth on the ring. Which is Ironic, because he is missin some teeth himself !!! But that's a horse of a different Color......
Thanks,
| | |
|
|
| |
