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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: Feb 2014 Posts: 17 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 17 | I have a 59 3200 Fleetside with a 235 & 3 speed. It's hard to get it above 50 mph so I am considering a rear end change so I can at least keep up with the traffic. The truck is original and I would like to keep it as close as possible with as little work as possible. So can anyone tell me a good fit for a rear end? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 |
What is you rear end ratio?
3.38, 3.70, 3.90, or 3.92?
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 124 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 124 | I changed out the gears on mine from 3:90 to 3:38 (if I remember right). I ordered it from ringpinion.com. It cruises as fast as it can safely be driven (60-65mpg). I am going to put in a granny 4 speed soon. The three speed is really too high geared in low but it is much better on the highway now.
Gene
1959 Apache
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 17 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2014 Posts: 17 | It's a 3.92. Has anyone tried to use the gears out of a newer 10 bolt in the older 10 bolt? I was thinking about trying a 70's 10 bolt differential in my 59 housing with my original axles, any thoughts on that may be of some help. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | The parts do not interchange. The 3.92 ratio would indicate you have the rare Positraction option, which uses the Spicer 45 axle instead of the HO33. Parts are very hard to get for those. The 3.38 gearset that's on the market is only for the HO33.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 124 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 124 | You could always swap out the whole thing. Old chevy truck rear ends should be pretty affordable.
Gene
1959 Apache
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 |
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Another alternative, swap the standard SM318 3 speed for the SM319 overdrive 3 speed and leave the rear end alone.
Bill Burmeister
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