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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!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,969 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,969 | I know they were made and used from 48 – 72 (and maybe other years) in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. Really not too much in the 48-51 Shop Manual to explain the differences. In fact, the Chevy manuals don’t identify them as HO-anything or as Eaton. And do those designations apply to the entire axle assembly or just the differential?
Thanks
Professional Novice
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | After years of debate, the biggest difference I've seen is in the brakes. The 3800 trucks had 14", the 3600 trucks had 12". There may be some differences in the carrier assemblies, but they are interchangeable, so kind of a non issue. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,969 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,969 | Thanks. That’s about what I thought.
Professional Novice
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2019 Posts: 1,003 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2019 Posts: 1,003 | Axles swap also, if you were wondering. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,904 | I was trying to sell my 4.57 pumpkin. I advertised it as an HO52. A guy said he needed an HO72. So there's basically no difference. He thought the HO72 was stronger. Not so?
1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet 34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 168 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 168 | Some people think the H072 has the load bolt that keeps the ring gear from deflecting and the H052 doesn't, but I've seen them both ways. If you have some time and want to learn about these axles, read this thread https://www.pirate4x4.com/threads/eaton-h072.771317/Lots of good info in there
Liquidated my projects
Now looking for a decent '47-'55.1 3100, 3600, or 3800
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,969 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,969 |
Professional Novice
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 491 Unconventional Thinker | | Unconventional Thinker Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 491 | I read today over on the 67-72 site, a portion of an HO52/HO72 axle thread, and there are some 14 bolt FF parts that can be interchanged on these axles. One of them is a lunch box locker for the 14B, it will install into the HO Carrier. The main thing I was looking for was that orientation of HO52 diff cover, whether the fill hole was low or high, since these covers can be installed either way. I questioned whether mine was installed properly because. Checked the book, it said 6.5 pints, and I had poured in 3.25 quarts, so that was right, but the level of the oil appears to be lower than the axle tubes. I figured since the amount of oil I poured in matched what the book said it takes, then GM knew what they were doing by having the oil level lower than the tubes.
Shane
Shane's Toys...
2007 Forester XT Limited (2nd Owner)
1991 Cherokee Laredo (2nd Owner)
1981 Chevy 3/4 Ton Fleetside 8,600 Camper Special (3rd Owner)
1965 Chevy 3/4 Ton Fleetside (3rd Owner)
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