The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 1956 Chevy 3600 3/4ton reared swap donor choice

I have ‘56 Chevy 3600. I dropped a 350 and 3 spd trans in from a 71 impala, and original rear end is approx 4.57?, high rpm at 55mph. I heard I should look for a Chevy 10.5 with 14 bolt rear. Does anyone know what year donor truck would have a best fit to make this a daily driver? Thanks , Danner Hodgson

I know you said swap the Axel. But swapping the ring and pinion. You'd end up with a 4.11 rear. This also retains the 8 lug wheels. You swap the 4.57 for a 4.11 easy swap

https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/axles/1%20Ton%20Upgrade/

dhodgson, stop by the Welcome Center Forum and post a short introduction. Tell us about your truck and the plans for it. I see you didn’t post your location. That’s fine but as you’ll notice, as you browse around, most everyone at least post what state they’re from. Your neighbors in the Stovebolt world can be a big help. Welcome.

Is the three speed transmission a standard or automatic? It would be way easier and probably cheaper to use an overdrive transmission and leave the rear end in place. With either the old Borgwarner standard 3sp OD trans or a 700R4/2004R automatic OD you keep the 4.57 for pulling/hauling but have a 3.07 final gear when in OD. Best of both worlds. Many have good luck with the T5 OD set up but my uses have always been too much for this light duty unit. Have had very good service from the TKO 500/600 but they are pricey. The NV 3500 or 4500 are another trans option.

Automatic transmission. I went by our gear shop, “geared up drivetrain” here in Nevada city California, grass Valley California, they said to take some pictures and bring them back in front and rear of the rear end and they could tell me if they could replace the ring and pinion. Thanks for the advice. Also, it is an automatic transmission first, second, Drive, I put a B and M shifter into it. The transmission is freshly rebuilt, so I hate to change that out. However, I think changing a Pinion and ring gear would cost about $800 here. Everything is so darn expensive in California . However, that sounds easier than obtaining a new rear end and welding the spring mounts on it. Still just digesting some of your responses, have to go to work today, I will check this out further. Any advice is welcome and very helpful. Thank you so much

14 bolt rear axles are usually around $150. around here, way less than R & P change.

Ed

I was wondering which Chevy truck would be a good donor if I want to pull a rear end out. I was worried about the width. I heard 1960s and 1970s might be good choices?

Here's some info on the 14 bolt swap Ed mentioned, and gets to your question of what donors might be good.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread.../14-bolt-axle-swap-info.html#Post1249600

use a 73-77 chevelle, el camino they are about 62 inches wide overall, five lug the you might want to install a 1/2 ton front axle with disc brakes