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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 687 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 687 | The front seems to be Chevrolet, and has one adjuster independent of the cylinder located at the bottom of the shoe and the backing plate has 1 opening for adjustment. The rear has 2 slots for adjustment at the top of the backing plate and the backing plate is fixed to the diff. housing with rivets. That is why I think it is a GMC diff assy.
So do you think I am correct about the springs being installed back wards?
I didn't do it, no one saw me do it, you can't prove anything! "Bart Simpson"
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,061 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,061 | Hy Toyvo, in Canada all the 1/2 ton trucks Chev. and GMC from 1948 through 1955"A" have a 116" wheelbase. As tclederman pointed out the rear brake wheel cylinders are Huck type not Bendix which they should be, so I would surmise the rear axle is for a truck 1950 or older, possibly American GMC trucks have different wheelbases. The placement of the rear axle in an enclosed driveline setup is limited by the length of the driveshaft inside the tube, the rear axle must be positioned so that the driveshaft can engage the universal joint yoke at the transmission properly, there is not very much room to change the position of the rear axle and maintain the proper engagement of the driveshaft with the universal joint yoke. I would start searching for the proper rear axle with Bendix brakes and the correct wheelbase. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,440 | Bingo. That set a light on in my head. There were no long bed Chevrolet half tons in those years. That's why it has to be a GMC assembly.
However, according to Hollander, the wheel cylinder is the same, GMC or Chevrolet, half ton to 2 ton, 1937-50. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | EE0612 1947 3100 rear end E = 1947 E = 3100 06 = 6th 12 = December http://www.1954advance-design.com/chev-specs/1947-Chevrolet-t-ser.jpgI think this is a different length torque-tube than used in 1954. The 1947 rear brakes would be the 2-adjuster Huck-style brakes. You might want to try to ID the transmission - post code/codes here. How long has the present owner owned the truck? | | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 687 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 687 | Thanks, tclederman The front brakes appear to be correct. I have some shoes coming for a 48 to see if they fit better, maybe they are the same as 47. The torque tube being longer means the drive shaft is also longer so I guess we are in the market for a 54 diff. assy. The owner has had this truck about 6 years (he bought it as a basket case, dismantled) he has only had it restored for 4 years. I'll get Tranny numbers tomorrow and post here. Know any one in the Dallas, Houston, Shreveport area with a good 54 diff. willing to trade with some boot?
I didn't do it, no one saw me do it, you can't prove anything! "Bart Simpson"
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,262 | Toyvo,
You best bet is to post a Parts Wanted ad.
There are parts sellers who do not read posts outside the Swap Meet.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,149 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,149 | 1941-54 Chevy 1/2 ton trucks use a Torque tube drive line. 3/4 ton and up are open. The torque tube and the attached cast carrier housing probably is a 1947 torque tube. The axle housing might be a GMC or someone put GMC brake cylinders on a Chevy axle. This picture of your Torque tube makes me think its been tampered with. It has 2 different size tube dimensions. But then again I've never seen a 47 Torque tube. The ones I have seen are usually one dimension, then tapers down to accept the ball housing. One thing that stands out is the ball housing looks like it is barely slid onto the end of the Torque tube. That means the rear yoke might not be slid far enough onto the propeller shaft splines. The rear yoke might be just catching the end of the propeller shaft. Not Good. Ilustration Scroll down. and HERE Chevy 1/2 ton Torque tube length: 1947, 62 1/2" 1948-54, 60 1/8" Parts Identification by ChevroLEE Some real good Data. 1929 - 1954 Master Parts and Accessories Catalog, Group Number 5.504 1929 - 1957 Chevrolet Master Parts & Accessories Catalog, Illustration How to measure Torque tube Your hunch is probably correct. The rear axle leaf springs are flipped. The article below kinda pertains to your situation. 1947-1954 Rear Spring Alignment If you have a stock 1954 3 or 4 speed tranny they both use the same length Torque tube. They are relatively easy to find. But the 1948-53 axle ring and pinion has a 4.11 gear ratio and the 1954 axle has a 3.90 gear ratio. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 687 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 687 | Thanks jorb. I almost wish you had not posted this. LOL! Now I am going to remove the rear springs and see if the torque tube will slip forward enough to reattach the springs properly. So now I am torn between fixing the rear brakes on this axle and attempting to move it forward or replacing the rear axle with the proper 54 axle. On one hand replacing the axle will bring this truck just that much closer to a 100pt truck on the other I gain a 411 gear ratio.  OH WHAT TO DO??? Wait! I know, I will just pull the 4 bolts out of the transmission and slid back the ball to see if there is enough room to slide the diff. forward FIRST! 
I didn't do it, no one saw me do it, you can't prove anything! "Bart Simpson"
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 687 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 687 | Ok I have posted the want for a used diff. assy. but so far no takers. The truck is taking up much needed space so I reversed the springs, slid the axle forward about 4 inches and then lifted the diff. assy. so that the torque tube is in a straight line with the transmission and made sure I gave the shaft clearance at maximum extension. Then I lowered the diff. onto the springs taking care that the clearance increased as the diff. lowered. the locating pin is 1 and 7/8 inches forward of the hole in the axle mounting. I intend to build a mounting pin relocator from a 1/4 x 1 3/4 x 4 3/4 inch flat bar and allen head bolt or a 1/2 inch dowel. This should give me the clearance and put the axle forward about 4 inches (much better than before). Still looking for a diff. assy. but the truck is out the way. http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u497/toyvo75/Untitled_zpsjlz6ymjq.jpgAnybody see why this wont work? The shaded area is where axle perch will be.I don't have a drafting program and did this in paint. So it is not to scale.
I didn't do it, no one saw me do it, you can't prove anything! "Bart Simpson"
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 | Just make sure that your dowel pin is very securely attached to your adapter plate. This is what keeps your axle attached to the springs when the rear wheels slam into an obstruction. Also understand that your truck will be lowered by 1/4 inch by your plate.
Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
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