The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 6 lug options for rear AD 1953 GMC suburban.

I am sure someone else has been down this road. Has anyone else changed their rear axle for another 6 lug more modern style?

I used an axle from a '58 1/2 ton on my '38.

beanyard,
55.5 thru 59 is an easy fit, HO33 is the rear diff. type. 10 bolt cover, not a lot of gear ratio choices though. Also axle splines are course, not good with any major horse power, and the axles are different length. Others have researched all this stuff and there is a good list of donor rear diff. choices out there on this and other forums.
Good Luck

I have a running driving '59 fleetside and that rear end is great but only available in 3:90 and 4:11 and it was expensive to rebuild.

Went with a 12 bolt posi from a 78 chev suburban 4x4 in my 54 3100. Its a little wider but fits nice. I have 3.07 ratio but would rather have 3.55 or 3.73. Mods needed for mounting to springs to get centering right. And of course trans upgrade to facilitate open drivevshaft. Its been in 23years and im happy.

Well, you could spend about $800-$900 and install the 3.55 Ring & Pinion set (from Mothertrucker or other vendors) and the installation kit (bearings, bushings, and seals, etc).

No other modifications are necessary.

I put a 1985 Chevy Blazer K5 underneath mine...I have not run it down the road yet....got all the brake parts from Rockauto.com....I think I even bought rear shock for the same make and model and made them fit the 1952/53 1 ton chassis. here is the view as it sits today except I added new brake lines...

it measures about 65" WMS to WMS....hope this help you out...

My 2 cents

MikeC

Try a 6-lug rear end from an early Toyota Land Cruiser. Also, just about any of the Japanese pickups from the 1980's such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, Dodge Ram 50, Ford Courier, Chevy LUV, or Mazda have the same 6-lug bolt pattern as a stovebolt, but those rear ends might be too narrow.
Jerry

I'm trying to figure out a similar problem. I'm waiting for confirmation on the original width of the rear axle on my '53 GMC 100. From what I know, there are several rear ends from GM/Chevy that had a 6 lug pattern but may be too wide. The Colorado/Canyon also runs a 6x5.5 bolt pattern and I am looking into that diff. I also believe Nissan and Toyota have diffs with that bolt pattern.

I recall measuring one of those Land Cruisers a while back, and it pretty close to the right width. They're also full float on most years. The only drawback I can think is how low geared they tend to be, something like a 4.33:1 if I'm remembering it correctly.
You also have to watch things with the Mitsubishi/Ram 50. I've seen them with a small 6 lug pattern.

Another one that might be worth looking into would be a mid-1990's Nissan pickup with an automatic transmission. The lug pattern will be right, and auto trans equipped trucks usually have a higher final drive ratio.
Jerry

Does anyone know the original width? I need to know for my '53 GMC 100 as well...

1977 4x4 rear end

Want to know about swapping out a rear end.
and what to use Here's food for thought.... on 50’s chevy’s By: Jim Forbes


The 82-newer Camaros are wider than the older ones, so you should stick with the 70-81 models. The 75-79 Nova uses the same rear as these older Camaros, I believe. The 68-74 Nova chassis is the same as a 67-69 Camaro; the 75-79 Nova chassis is the same as the 70-81 Camaro. The 82-newer Camaros used the small 7.5" rear-end design that the 78-newer Malibu/Monte Carlo/regal/cutlass etc used, but it's quite a bit wider. Some of the 82-newer Camaros used different rear ends, such as the Dana 44, and some weird Australian rear-end. Of course, if you want to make sure, get out your tape measure and check yourself! I may be wrong.
Here's another one from Jim on the subject---- There are lots of rear ends available! Some fit better than others. For 6 lug rear ends, the 64-69 1/2 ton 2wd Chevy (and some GMC) trucks have a 12 bolt rear, about 60-61" wide (I measure them where the wheels bolt on). The 70 2wd and 70-81 4wd have a 6 lug 12 bolt that is a couple inches wider, but will fit under an Advanced Design or Task Force truck as long as you don't get too wild with wheel/tire width. The heavy duty models have a 2.75’’ brake shoe, that’s stopping power. The 12 bolt truck rear ends from the 60s usually had 3.70 gears, which is a bit much for extended highway driving at 75 mph. You can swap the differential carrier and ring/pinion gears from a later TRUCK or VAN 12 bolt, the 70s trucks usually had 3.08 or 3.40 gears. Of course, you'll need to know how to set up ring/pinion gears, bearing preload, and all that other neat stuff to do this. These 60s truck 12 bolt rear ends are from coil spring trucks, so the perches are in the wrong place, and they have some extra stuff on the housing for a panhard bar, which you won't need with leaf springs. Most 60s GMC trucks, and some Chevys, had Dana 44 or Dana 60 rear ends, and leaf springs. These rear ends are 6 lug, about 60" wide, and will bolt into a Task Force truck (with some fudging, the perches are about 1/2" too far apart). The brakes use different parking brake cables, which is a problem, and the drums have a different offset. Gear ratios range from 3.21 to 3.92 normally, the 3.21 is found behind some GMC V-6 engines, and is a nice ratio for an old truck. The Dana 44 uses a standard Chevy 1310 yoke, but the Dana 60 uses a heavy duty yoke, which takes a larger 1350 series ujoint. A similar Dana 40 rear-end was available as an option in 59 Chevy trucks, equipped with positraction...rare, and with a 3.92 ratio. I have one of these rear ends; it was in my extended cab truck...I'm saving it for when I build a race truck (one of these years).
The 71 and newer 2wd trucks use a 5 lug 5" bolt pattern, same as the 71-76 full size cars. There is not much available in the way of matching front brake rotors that will fit an old truck, so this rear-end is not too popular a swap, unless you get the 70-up 4wd 6 lug axles. Chevy also used 10 or 12 bolt rear ends in lots of cars, in varying widths. The heavy duty models have a 2.75’’ brake shoe. A common one is the 61" wide 70s vintage Camaro/Chevelle/Nova (and clones) 8.5" rear-end. In Camaros/Novas it has leaf springs, but the perches won't work with old truck springs. In Chevelles, it has coil springs, with lots of extra brackets to cut off, and the cast in mounting "eyes" on top, where the upper control arm bushings fit. Wheel bolt pattern is 4.75", and there are front disk brake kits available to match, or you can use the 53-54 car front hubs/drums on the original 50s truck brakes, to get the same bolt pattern front/rear. This is a good rear-end for using in an old truck, the ratios are commonly 2.73-3.36, with higher gears available. The axle shafts are usually worn out in these things, so check them (pull the cover, lockpin, and C clips out to get them loose) where they ride in the wheel bearings...before buying the rear-end! The 55-57 Chevy car rear-end is almost a bolt in, the perches need to be relocated to the top of the housing though. It has the 4.75" bolt pattern, and ratios are usually 3.55-3.73, but sometimes you'll find a 3.36. The 78-88 mid size GM cars use a 7.5" 10 bolt, which is about 58/5" wide. This rear-end would work well in an early (older than 47) truck, but it is quite light duty. Ratios are usually 2.29-3.23, which means you want some torque in the engine to pull it...but rpm will be low. This is a coil spring rear-end, with all the mounting brackets that need to be cut off. The Ford 8" and 9" rear ends come in a whole bunch of varieties, and only a few are useful in oletrucks. The late 50s full size cars have a nice one, but it's not easy to find brake hardware, drum, etc anymore. The mid 60s midsize cars, such as the Fairlane, have a rear-end that is about the right width, and would be a good candidate...if you can find one. The Maverick/Granada is very narrow, about 56.5", and would not fit anything but a very early truck, or perhaps a tubbed Pro Street truck. The 60s full size Ford car rear ends are usually too wide, but if you find one, measure it and see! Most earlier full size, and all mid size, cars use the 4.5" bolt pattern, while later full size cars use the 5" pattern. The Ford trucks have a big 5 on 5.5" pattern, with a big center that takes some work to redrill to anything Chevy. Ratios range from 2.47 to 4.30, and the axles come in 28 or 31 spline varieties. There is lots of interchange possible with the 9" rear-end, which is why it's so popular...I have one in my 55 Belair, and in my 57 Suburban chassis. Unfortunately, they are getting expensive, especially when you have to shop around for just the right one that will fit. So...if you don't know if a rear-end will fit, or what it came from, get out your tape measure and see for yourself! The most important things are overall width, and wheel bolt pattern...then concern yourself with ratio. I like a 2.75-3.0 ratio for a V-8 powered truck that will spend lots of time on the highway; about 3.2-3.7 for a 6 cylinder or small V-8 for in town and limited highway use, and the stock 3.9-4.56 ratio is great if you have to use your truck to haul lotsa weight, and you don't have much engine...just don't plan on going much faster than 55!

http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/

GENERAL: ELECTRICAL:
Chevrolet Restoration Pack
Generator Info
How to decode an AD VIN number (3)
Brake Switches - Mechanical or Hydraulic?
Model numbers (Advance-Design models)
Gas Gauge Troubleshooting
Overdrive/MPG
Wiring diagram for a 58 1/2 ton (off site)
How to store your truck for the winter

Stuck Bolt Removal
MECHANICAL:
Truck Values
Huck style brake conversion to bendix style (4)
How to install hubcap clips
Engine Identification
Replacement seats for you trucks interior (2)
Brake Bleeding-there is a correct way
Automotive Calculations
Loads of info of IFS and rear end swap (2)
BODY: Installing an S-10 T-5 transmission in an older truck
Bed Wood Dimensions for 1947-1951 and 1955-59 Models
Pacer IFS Installation in a Chevy Truck (5)
Adjusting the hood on the AD trucks
Installing a GMC 302 motor in a 1950 Chevy pickup
Deluxe Cabs
Swap your 216 for a 235 (off site)
Door Spring Installation (Advance-Design Models)
Rebuilding an Inline "Stovebolt" Six
Tool Kit Contents in an Advance-Design Truck
Lowering the front of your TF truck (2)
Gas Tank Cleaning
3 speed to 4 speed automatic conversion on a TF truck (2)
Insulating A Cab
Powering Steering install on a TF truck (2)
Paint Colours for Body & Engine
Steering Boxes and Proper Lubrication
Paint Stripping Methods
Adjusting the steering box (8)
Seat Cover Replacement
Torque Tube Drivelines
Task-Force Cab Step Replacement
Rear end swap and what to use
Seat Belts in Vintage Trucks
Remove/Reinstall "Stovebolt" Cylinder Head
Building stake bed sides to your step side bed
How to install a 63-87 IFS in an AD truck (3)
Windshield Wiper Replacement
Inline Manifold Seating
Decoding the serial number on Canadian GMC TF trucks (1)
Rear Main Seals for 216 Engine
U.S./ Canadian TF model cross-reference guide
Tie Rod End Replacement
Dashboard Replacement in Task-Force Models
Short/Long water pump-which one do I have???
Adjusting the door latch and striker plates (off site) (7)
Crankshaft Durability
How to install a Fulton Sunvisor (off site)
47-53 3/4 ton rear end replacement (6)
How to build a cab dolly
Engine Block Terminology
Stuck brake drum (it won't come off)
Implanting a 82 monte carlo IFS on an AD truck (9)
Info on the AD-S10 frame swap
Under the bed spare tire carrier for AD trucks (10)
Disc brake upgrade for TF truck

Suspension Measurements


REAR SUSPENSION:
The following is a general list of rear ends and their dimensions to help narrow the search for a possible candidate to replace the torque tube rear end or just get a better set of gears for highway driving.
Advance Design Trucks seem to be using rear ends with widths ranging from 58"- 62". I'm not sure of the Task Force width ranges at this time.
Contributing information were Bob Welch, J Forbes and various locations throughout the Web and Automotive Magazines.
Rear Axle Measurements
MEASURED ACROSS WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE
56 1/2" 71-77 Ford Maverick 8",
57" 71-74 V-8 Mavericks 8", All '75-77 6's & 8's Maverick 5 Lug 8", 49-51 Ford, 57-59 Ford 9"
57 1/4" 64 1/2 - 65 Mustang
58" 78-88 Mid sized GM Car, Malibu/Monte Carlo (82 up Metric Studs), 80 Granada & Lincoln Versailles,
67-70 Mustang/Cougar/Fairlane, Regal with 10 bolt axle, S-10 P.U., 65-67 Nova
58 1/2 " Ford Grenada
59" 68-83 Corvette
60" 55-64 Chevy Car, 67-69 Camaro, 64-67 Chevelle, 68-74 Nova, 71-73 Mustang/Cougar, 84-95 Corvette
60-61" 64-69 1/2 ton 2wd Chevy/ Some GMC 6 lug rear end 12 bolt Coil spring set up Possible gear ratio's 3.70
62" 64-77 Chevelle, 73-76 Torino, 89 Trans Am,
70 2wd 6 lug rear end 12 bolt Possible gear ratio's 3:08, 3:40, 3:73
70-81 4wd 6 lug reared ...............................................................
71- Newer 2wd trucks use a 5 on 5 lug pattern
71-76 Full Size Cars " "" "" "
60" 60's GMC and some Chevy's Dana 44 or Dana 60 with leaf springs 6 lug, Gear ratio's 3.21 to 3.92. GMC V-6 used a 3.21 Dana 44 used a standard chevy 1310 yoke, Dana 60 used the heavy duty yoke which takes the larger 1350 yoke.


Approximate rear end widths measured from backing plate to backing plate.
Add Width to compensate for drums as follows:
4" - 5" for small cars 5" - 6" for intermediate cars 6" - 8" for large cars
48" - 49" 50" - 51" 52" - 53"
'71 Colt
'72 Cricket
'72-75 Datsun Pickup
'72-73 Mazda '65 Ram American
'74 Valiant '28-40 Ford , '57 - 59 Ford
'62 Buick Skylark, '67 Chevrolet Six
'67 Mustang Six , '68 AMX
'69 Javelin Six , '70 dodge
'70 Duster , '71-77 Maverick
'71 Comet , '71- 72 Pinto
54" -55" 56" -57" 58" - 59"
'39 -48 Chevrolet, '68 GTO
'41 -48 Ford, '68-72 Chevelle
'55 -57 Chevrolet, 68-69 Fair lane 6 or 8
'66 Falcon, '69 Chevrolet
'67 Mustang V-8, '69 Firebird
'69 Cougar, '71 -73 Nova
'73 Ventura, '73 Mustang '36 Plymouth, '54-56 Ford Pickup
'67 Lincoln, '69 Dodge
'69 Dodge Van, '71 Torino
'72 Cougar, '74 Pontiac '49 Plymouth, '61 Chevrolet Impala
'65 Cadillac, '66 Buick Wildcat
'66-67 Chevrolet Big Car, '72 Charger
'69 Oldsmobile 88, '72 Chrysler
'72-73 Torino


STOCK CENTER TO CENTER SPRING PERCH DISTANCE
25" 39" 42" 42 1/2
'68 - 72 Chevelle '71 Colt
'73 Mazda '68 -71 Fairlane/Torino
'49-51 Ford '69 Chevrolet
'69 Nova
'71 - 72 Pinto
'73 Ventura
43" 43 1/2" 44" 46 1/4"
'65 Ram American
'64 1/2-'65 Mustang
'67 Mustang
'70's Ford Grenada
'69 Firebird
'70 Dodge '71-77 Maverick
'70 Duster
'70 Nova
'71 Comet
'72 Dart
'72 Cougar
'74 Valiant '57 Ford
'67 Chevrolet Six
'68 AMX
'69 Javelin Six '69 Dodge
47 1/2" 48" 51" 57 1/2"
'39 -48 Chevrolet
'67 Chevrolet big car
'72 Charger
'72 Chrysler '69 Dodge Van
'69 Ford Van '67 Lincoln

BACK TO TOP OF PAGE

________________________________________
The following list of extensive information was contributed by R. Welch:

Original Vehicles
Rear Suspension Width (Flange to Flange)
Year Classic Vehicles Width
26-39 Plymouth-Dodge car/pick up 56-58"
40-52 Plymouth-Dodge car 60-62"
26-39 Chrysler/DeSoto Car 60"
Most Early Mopar's 56-62"
25-39 Chevy Car 56-58"
26-46 Chevy Truck 56-58"
40-48 Chevy Car 58-60"
49-54 Chevy Car 58-60"
47-54 & 55 1st Series Chevy Truck 60-62"
Most Early Buick,Olds, Pontiac 58-61"
28-31 Ford Car/Pickup 57 1/2"
32 & 33-34 Ford Car/Pickup 56 1/2"
35-48 Ford Car 57-60"
35-41 Ford Pickup 56-60"
49-58 Ford Car 57-58"
49-56 Mercury 57-58"
49-51 Mercury 61"
64 Falcon 58"
67 Cougar 60"
55-59 Chevy Pickup 62"










Donor Vehicles Front and Rear
Suspension Width (Flange to Flange)
Year Classic Vehicles Width Front Width Rear
74-79 Ford Mustang II/Pinto & Mercury Capri/Bobcat 55 ½" 55 ½"
71-77 Ford Maverick with 8" axle 56 ½"
75-80 Ford Granada with 8" axle 57 ½"
64-66 Mustang 57"
67-71 Mustang 59"
72-73 Mustang 60"
67-69 , & 60" Camaro 60"
64-67 Chevelle 60"
55-64 Chevy car 60"
65-67 Nova 58"
68-72 Nova 60" 60"
78 & up Monte Carlo, Regal, etc. with 10 bolt axle 58" 58"
68-72 Chevelle with 10 bolt axle 61 ½"
89 Trans AM (Disc brake) 62"
76-80 Camaro/Firebird 61 ½" 60 ½"
68-83 Corvette 58 ½" 59 ½"
84-95 Corvette 59 ½" 60 ½"
Early 70's "A" body (Dart/Duster) with V8&3/4 axle 58"
"E" Body (Cuda) with V8&3/4 axle 58"
Dodge Dart 59" 55 ½"
Plymouth Volare & Dodge Aspen 61" 60 ½"
71 Blazer (6 lug) 63 ¾"
75-78 Granada 9" (43" perch to perch) 52 ¼"
75-78 Maverick 9" (43" perch to perch) 56 ¼"
81-87 Olds Cutlass 58 ½"


________________________________________







FRONT SUSPENSION INFORMATION

Track Width of Popular Donor Car Clips
Manufacture Model Years Track Front/Rear Curb Weight
Chevrolet Nova 68-74 59.8-59.6 3,770
Buick Apollo 68-74 59.1-58.8 3760
Pontiac GTO 68-74 59.9-59.6 3880
Chevrolet Corvette 68-83 58.7-59.5 3655
84-95 59.6-60.4 3890
Chevrolet Camaro (Z28) 76-80 61.3-60.5 3820
Pontiac Firebird (TA) 76-80 61.3-60.5 3900
Ford Mustang II 74-79 55.6-55.8 3305
Pinto 74-79 55.6-55.8 3305
Mercury Capri 74-79 55.6-55.8 3305
Bobcat 74-79 55.6-55.8 3305
Chevrolet Monte Carlo 78-86 58.5-58.8 3235
Buick Century 78-86 59.0-58.8 3700
Pontiac Grand Prix 78-86 58.9-59.0 3735
Plymouth Volare 75-79 61.0-60.5 3395
Dodge Aspen 75-79 61.0-60.5 3395
Dodge Dart 76 59.2-55.6 3600

Table taken from "How to Build a Custom Classic Truck" Peterson Publication; June or July 1999
Written by: Don Emmons & Mike Briggs

Excellent info! So we're looking to be between 58"-62" total width.

just get a late chevy axle and you'll be fine
70-90's

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Inliner #4655

Be careful about some of the later Chevy six lug axles. They have the correct spacing, but some of them have much larger diameter lug bolts which don't fit the old original rims.
Carl

One you hit the '88 and newer out of pickups, most of the 6 lug axles will be far too wide for the older trucks. That's on top them using 14mm wheel studs. I would have to measure it to be sure, the wheel will probably fit over the studs fine, but the lug nuts are too large of diameter to seat properly to the wheel. Original wheels also may not clear the drums properly.