The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 55 1st Driveline in 54 chasis

Maybe someone out there has an answer for me. I am restoring a 1955 First Series 3100 and am using the chassis from a 1954. Both are short bed 3-speed column shift. When I bolted in the driveline from the 55 the wheelbase came up 3 inches shorter (113 inches vs 116 inches). The differential is located 3 inches forward of the old one. Obviously the drive shaft is 3 inches too long. I know the closed drive shaft differential mounts to the springs with swivel tabs on the front of the housing, placing it further back, but I don't know what to change to correct the difference.
What is the difference between the open and closed drive shaft models? The local spring company tells me the rear springs are the same. Are the spring mounts located in different locations on the frame?

I would like to fix it correctly. Any help would be appreciated!

I think you will find that with the way the touque tube mounts differently to the spring back in 1954 I think messure your springs from centre bolt to front then centre bolt to rear see if in centre of spring ithink 1955 the centre bolt was centre of the spring !!

Exactly! The rear leaf springs are different in the position of the centering pins.