The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Going with a 10bolt- Now for the questions!!

I decided to go with a 10 bolt for my 50 chev. As this is all greek to me I need some help. There is a company near me that makes reproduction springs and springs for the ad trucks. Suggestions? Stock AD setup with 10 bolt rear, or use the 10 bolt springs and shocks. (Rear is out of a 86 1/2ton). Modifications to the frame? Shock mounts? Know anybody that has done this, and could give instructions? Thanks in advance for your reply.

That is supposed to say springs and shocks.

Have you measured the width of the rear axle yet? Measure from brake drum to brake drum on the truck and donor axle. This is from the wheel mounting area of the brake drum. When talking 10 and 12 bolt most think of car axles, Chevelle, Camero, Nova, GTO... Your late model truck may be to wide. I used a 77 TransAm 10 for my 37. It was only 1/2" wider than the stock unit. Measure twice then do it again, before buying any parts!
If the original springs weren't broke, it would be easyer to get them rebuilt. It would be alot less adapting and a quicker replacement. Joe

FOX for my sp i used a 69 nova r/e 10 bolt it is 1/2in narrower than stock just went to local spring shop and got a pair of saddle mounts and took it to the local drive line shop here and they did the swap for 100.oo bucks this way i know the pinion angle was right and welding the saddles were on right also itonly took them about 1 .5 hours and i left in it so this may be a thought ..a 68/75 or so nova or camero /firebird wil be a good swap .i have seen the p/u r/e swap done and they are to wide to me it puts your tire way out almost rubbing the fender on the ones i have seen so remeasure and then measure agine .i also swapped sides with mt lower shock mounts and moved them to the inside of the frame this will give you about 2 in more tire room i just took a peice of 3in angle ad boxed the frame on the inside right where the upper brackets were and dilled the plate and bolted the upper mounts on and there you have moved your shocks

Fox,
For information on your rear end swap, check out http://www.50chevy.freeservers.com/

There used to be lots of information on this topic in the Stovebolt archives, although I haven't looked there lately and I understand things were trimmed back a bit.

If you're interested in an kit that includes everything but the rear end (instructions included), check out Macgyvers in Lloydminster www.macgyvers.com

I bought stuff from them recently for my 51 PU and the kits are very complete. You are probably looking at $400-600 Canadian for a complete rear package including springs, mounts, shocks, perches, etc.

Good luck
Frets

Since you allready have it,the 1/2 ton 86 truck rear will work out just fine for a stocker or mild custom. Its an inch wider, no problem.I have a 80 rear in my 51, with 7 inch wide rims and 235 tires ,the tires are within the fenders. Use the stock springs and buy weld on spring saddles and U bolts from your local hot rod shop.On my 51 I reused the stock bolt on lower shock mounts.S-10 lower spring plates work out fine with some minor bolt hole enlomgating.Some guys say an Astro van driveshaft works for them, or a brand new one can be made for less than $200 Swapping the rear springs is an improvement, but if you are on a low budget, the stock style springs minus a leaf or two rides ok.