The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Replacing differential

Anyone know what differential would be a good donor to replace a 53 chevy 3600 3/4 ton diff? I want the higher gears like 3.73 gears
Anyone?
Thanks guy's!!
Elmo

Might want to review tire size, intended use, engine, trans-direct or OD, etc. Ff 14 bolts have good ratios.

Ed

(Ff 14 bolts have good ratios.) Ed Pruss? What?

Elmo,

I guess we need a little more information...Are you looking to change the entire rear axle, or just the center section. Either way there is a ton of good info pinned at the top of the tons o' fun page. maybe start there and then ask follow up questions.
BTW, my 48 3600 has a 292, T-5 with 0.86 OD, a 2003 14 bolt rear axle at 4.11, and 28.5" tires. If I did it again, I would look for a 3.73 axle. The other detail is mine has a flat bed, so I don't have to worry so much about width, and getting inside the back fenders.

Jon

Thanks Jon,
For the info on Griggs information in Tons o fun. I think I will have someone that knows what they are doing, Do this job for me. I don't think I I'd feel comfortable doing this myself.

Elmo

Elmo,

If you check at the top of this (and every ) page in the Stovebolt Forums, you will see a link for our Tech Tips section. Once there, you can scroll down through the many helpful articles to the "Axles" section to find an article on upgrading the 3/4 and 1-ton rear axle.

The truck in the article is mine. With the 261 engine, 17-inch wheels and the 4.11 ratio, I can hold 65 easily. 70 MPH will be more fun with tightened up steering (:) ) or radials ...

Before you get too crazy with ratios like the 3.73, you might want to be sure your other components are up to that. If you still have a 216 in your truck, you will not get the desired performance boost from a 3.73 -- the engine will be over loaded. From what I hear, the 235 does ok. The 261 is a nice combo with the 4.11 ratio, though (and taller wheels/tires).

Before increasing your cruising speeds, please ensure your brakes, steering, tires, etc are up to the increased demands of higher speeds.

Finding the center section/3rd member for the HO52 Eaton axle is getting harder, but not yet impossible, and replacing yours with another with a more desirable ratio is far simpler and easier than switching out the whole rear axle assembly.

Read the article.

Regards,
John

Thanks John Milliman,
My truck a 1953 Chevy 3600 3/4 ton truck has a 235 in it. 16 inch wheels. If I do find a 3rd member 4.11 ratio to replace the HO52 axle. will I be able to go at least 60 miles an hour?

Thanks Elmo.

Elmo, your simple question opens up a lot of discussion possibilities. If you'd like to read a few past conversations on this issue go here and here.

You'll see a lot of the same opinions and advice. Bottom line is if you have a good engine and can get comfortable with how our trucks sound (not quite like modern trucks) at their design max working rpm/speed then yes, you can run 60 very easily and safely with a 4.11 gears.

Thisspeed calculator tells the tail. You can even run 60 with your stock gears if it's in good original condition (using 3,000 rpm as a max cruse rpm). "Good condition" meaning it's current condition compares favorably with the way it was when say, oh, 2 or 3 years old.

Good Luck,

RonR

Sent you a PM

Um, yeah -- What Ron said ...