The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Rear end swap

I have a 53 GMC 9300 and want to swap the rear end so I can change it to a 5 bolt and newer driveshaft as I'm going with an automatic trans. Anyone have advise on what newer rear ends would fit size wise. it will be a daily driver to and from work

Somebody has a list here of compatible rears for these trucks. We looked high & low for a 1970-82 Camaro rear at 62 in width but they are getting very hard to come by. A guy in Fla had a 12 bolt and wanted 1200 for it in pieces. Depending on what width your rear is wheel mount to wheel mount you want to stay as close as possible to your width . After doing considerable research we found that the s10 4x4 ZR2 10 bolt 8.5 ring rears work good and start at 400 bucks. they come with 342 or 373 gearing limited slip or posi. They are easier to find in salvage yards. The width on a ZR2 is 63.125 wheel mount to mount....close to our 62 in width on our 1955 1st series truck. We are going to have custom wheels made so we will adjust the 1 inch offset. The standard s10 4x4 is shorter ...about 59 inches. We also considered the Ford explorer rearends but wanted to stay with the Chevy becauses the Explorer has 3 in axle tubes. BTW the outside axle tube on our trucks are 2 3/4...... the s10 is 2 1/2 and the Ford explorer are 3 in. You have to take that in consideration if you are running stock springs due to U bolt and lower shock mount plate hole sizes and locations. TCI has custom spring kits for about 600 dollars to change over any rear you use but lowers the truck 3 inches. The ZR2 is also disc breaks from 1998 up, we went to disc on front with a mustang 11 IFS so the ZR2 rear worked out good for us.

I recently completed a rearend swap on my '52 3100. I used a RE from a 71 Nova and rebuilt it to include posi. The width was perfect. New shock perches had to be welded but that was no problem. I paired it with a T5 tranny and love the combination..

Did you have someone do your drive shaft fit up in Ga.? I live in Ellijay and need a drive shaft made....thanks

DLee,
Here's a good source:

http://www.carnut.com/specs/rear.html

I have a 53 GMC with a wheelbase of 116" the question is it a long or short box

116" GMC 1/2 ton one-piece enclosed driveshaft would be a short box.

thanks for the reply I was thinking it was a short box