My buddy has a 3/4 ton AD truck that has a 1/2 torque tube/open driveshaft. Looks factory.
Anyone ever seen one of those? Can someone use one of those setups to convert a rear end to an open driveshaft while keeping the stock peanut three speed transmission?
1950 SUBURBAN / SCHOOL BUS A.K.A "THE SCHOOL RUST"
That setup was used on long wheelbase trucks because the full torque tube system had problems with the extra length. If you try it on a SWB 1/2 ton, the open driveline section will be too short to work properly- - - -there will be some radical angles involved which will cause vibration and/or premature universal joint failure. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
I wonder why so many do not realize that 3/4 ton trucks had torque tube bells on all their transmissions from 54 back?
1953 Chevrolet 3100 261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done In the DITY Gallery Video of the 261 running
1964 GMC 1000 305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
Can someone use one of those setups to convert a rear end to an open driveshaft while keeping the stock peanut three speed transmission?
You need a crossmember to hang the intermediate bearing. But it can be done. Check illustration Check this POST Check attached pics 2nd pic shows 4 speed trans.
Can someone use one of those setups to convert a rear end to an open driveshaft while keeping the stock peanut three speed transmission?
It's technically possible, but I believe you would need to shorten the torque tube section by a foot or more to be able to use a long enough open driveline to avoid problems with angularity. That would require some pretty creative machining, especially on the internal driveshaft- - - - - -cutting new splines, etc. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
It would be easier to flip the 1/2 ton torque tube leaf springs and use a open Hotchkiss axle. Then change out the torque tube 3 speed tranny for a open 3 speed tranny and have a machine shop make-up a two u-joint propeller shaft. Or find a 1955 1st series 1/2 ton truck and swap the drive train & rear leaf springs.
