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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: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 | What or who's rear-end can I or should I replaced mu trucks rear with. It will not be for speed just to cruise with. I've been told a S10 with 50" plate to plate space. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,097 | It's not all that easy. Be aware when you replace the rear end in a closed drive truck you also have to replace the transmission and find a driveshaft to fit the new conversion. Another issue is the wheel bolt pattern, your 54 has a 6 lug pattern. Car and small trucks use a 5 lug pattern except S-10 4x4's. In addition the spring pads have to be re-positioned to match your existing configuration. Other things to consider are brake cables and lines. Some fabrication skills are involved and of course $$.
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: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | I can cruise all day at 65 MPH in my 1954 Suburban.
Lower RPM installing 3.90 to 3.55 Ring & Pinion conversion (you will need a 4.11 rear-end R&P ring carrier).
Buy/use an installation kit - your drive-line noise will noticeably decrease.
Radial truck tires on the original 16" wheels (gets a wider diameter that results in lower RPM.
No matter what you do:
- check and adjust all brake system parts
- check and adjust all front suspension parts
- check all front/rear sdpring attachment points | | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 | Tks, will start to look for S10 4x4. In the 93-2002 years?? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 1,043 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 1,043 | This has confused me. I have a 54 3/4 ton and it has an open drive line. I think it's stock?
Old enough to know better, too young to resist.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | That is correct.
1954 was the first year for an open driveshaft in the 3600.
1954 was the last year for an enclosed driveshaft in a 3100. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,095 | I have a 1979 Nova with 2.73 gears with a T5 trans in 54 235.. Works well in flat land and so so in the Smokie Mountains.
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am.1954 3100 Chevy truckIn the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 1,043 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2016 Posts: 1,043 | That is correct.
1954 was the first year for an open driveshaft in the 3600.
1954 was the last year for an enclosed driveshaft in a 3100. Thank you for that. I have been confused about that since the first time I looked through the optional see through bed.
Old enough to know better, too young to resist.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | The 2003-2012 Chevy Colorado had 6x5.5 bolt pattern. They had the same width rearend as the S10. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 | I have a lead on the front of a mustang 11; any suggestions on this for the 3100 1954 truck | | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 | Good to know. on the Colorado | | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | 4wd S-10's have 2" wider rear axle than 2wd.
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.
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