The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 46 GMC help

Just bought a 46 GMC, has a orig,, 50 gmc engine, missing all brake hubs and brake parts on rear. so, what to do, it's a 4 speed, like to keep that, should I buy a late model rear end ? do they make a / adaptor for 4 speed to use with newer open drive shaft rear ? thoughts please. ??? since it's no longer original,,, engine gone. a late model rear will not bother me,, so guys,,, please help with what to do ?????

Hy 52-Mobil, could you tell us the size of the truck please? If you want to put the truck back on the road, post an ad in the parts wanted forum describing the missing parts you need, hope that helps.

1/2 ton. not sure what parts i want yet....want to drive it, not sure what to do about rear end, as parts needed to fix, are expensive, so maybe a newer rear end with higher gears ? but what about making the existing 4 speed with with open driveshaft ? is there a adaptor available if you remove the enclosed rear & tube ?
thanks

Many on here have used Patrick's in AZ to upgrade/modify. They are experts in open vs closed. They seem biased toward closed. I myself prefer open and would switch if I had a closed by finding a newer rear end that "fit" and a motor/tranny from an open drive donor. Someone here may know about a 50 GMC and it's tranny/bell housing bolt pattern.
Once an open driveshaft is found/fabed/modified to fit, the attachment to differential is not a big deal. The other end takes some $$ and knowledge. There are certainly experts here on swapping to open. Hopefully there is a bell housing that fits your 50 GMC 228/270? and has a tranny bolt pattern for a SM420 or later 4sp open trans.