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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 52 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 52 | Are there major differences between the '55-'59 half ton rears and the '60-'66 half ton rears? Brakes? Center section? | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | 1955-62 use the same center section.
1955-59 had leaf springs, 1960 and later used coil springs.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 52 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 52 | Thanks. Sounds like I can probably use a rear up to '62 since I just want the center section and brakes/backing plates fir my '46. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 A teacher, but always an apprentice. | | A teacher, but always an apprentice. Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 2,168 | I took a ‘62 3.90 gear set and bolted it right into my 1953 housing. I didn’t gain much ratio but did get open driveline. Gotta love GM LEGO pieces, hey?! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Like Fox mentioned, a 1955-62 center section will bolt right in a 1940-54 truck axle housing.
The bendix brake swap is not so easy, easier to change the housing.
I will add that having Huck brakes on the back is not a bad thing.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 125 6 heaven | | 6 heaven Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 125 | So an open driveline 55-62 1/2 ton third member will bolt into the earlier 54-49 axle housing? What about the axle shaft splines? Do they match the internal side gears from the 55+ third member? | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 |
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 125 6 heaven | | 6 heaven Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 125 | Wow, that makes an open driveline a simpler possibility. What are some transmission combinations? Will a 3 speed from the 55-66 model work with the 2 shifter arms & linkages fron the original style? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,102 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,102 | You will need later bellhousing (48 up) to use a 55 and later transmission. I'm not sure what type side cover/linkage configuration a 46 has. The 55 transmission has a 4 bolt side cover. The 1/R shift fork has to be replaced on an AD truck to use the side cover on later trans. Yours may be similar. A 3 speed overdrive transmission would be a good option.
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | To be accurate you would need a 1948-53 truck bellhousing to accept the later transmission and correct bellhousing mounts.
Since a 1946 is floor shift, you would need an aftermarket floor shifter for a 1955- trans.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,102 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,102 | That confused me as well when I responded, I guess I thought he had some later column shift configuration.
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
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