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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 54 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 54 | I want to swap the rear end for a more practical gear ratio. It currently is 4.56. I want to keep it an 8 lug. Any suggestions on axle options? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 1,288 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 1,288 | Easy to do, change the differential to 4.11's, either HO52 or HO72's from a Chevrolet or GMC C20 or C30 from the mid 60's to I think 1972. Hard part is actually finding said 4.11's. The most likely candidate will be a C20 or C30 with automatic and V8. That said, I found a set in a 67 C20 with 4 speed and 8 cylinder. Online search of salvage yards will sometimes turn one up. Mine was in an old junk/salvage yard on a back country road. Paid $200 and I removed it.
Good Luck,
RonR
Last edited by moparguy; 08/05/2017 9:43 PM.
1951 3600 with Clark flatbed, T5, 4.10 rear
1970 340 Duster
1990 5.0 V8 Miata (1990 Mustang Gt Drivetrain)
1964 CJ5
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | GM 14 bolt are cheap, plentiful, higher ratios, single or duals.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 27 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 27 | I also found my 4:11 third member in a local salvage yard. It is an easy swap with all the help from fellow stovebolters. The only unpleasant thing about it is how heavy it is.
I put taller steel belted tires on my truck, too. It'll do 57-62 mph easily and the ride is more comfortable now.
I did have to go to each yard and look for myself. I read a bunch of old posts and the tech tip, it helped me know what trucks had the right one.
Last edited by jrp3; 08/06/2017 1:26 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | That is the key to a successful search-look for yourself-most yards do not have the skill, or time to search for the parts we need, use any excuse to get in, then search.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 54 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 54 | I know this is completely unrelated but how hard would it be to make the whole front clip easily removable. Like the 55' on two lane blacktop. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,059 | GM installed the whole front clip to the truck on the assembly line. A bolt or two under the radiator support, six bolts at the toeboard, and fender nuts and bolts at the side cowls is all that holds the front clip on.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 54 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 54 | Is there a way to do it using a couple clips or something like that so it can be done really quick? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 | This needs to go to the Paint/Body forum. Users doing a search for 1954 3600 axle swap might not care about how to install a front sheet metal clip. Plus you might get more help from the experts there. 
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 54 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Mar 2017 Posts: 54 | yeah i know its completely unrelated it just popped into my mind so if figured might as well post it | | |
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