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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jan 2021 Posts: 10 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2021 Posts: 10 | I've got a 46 2 ton with a bent front axle. Checking the parts, it seems like alot of the steering parts interchange from 1/2 ton through 2 ton. Does anyone know if the axles are the same? I found a 1/2 ton axle but it's a ways away & i can't I physically check it out. Thanks | | | | | Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 Big Bolt Forum Moderator | | Big Bolt Forum Moderator Joined: Dec 2015 Posts: 2,061 | I am not 100% sure on the 46 but my guess would have to be no. I am sure some of the other guys who are more familiar with that era trucks will chime in shortly. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,675 | Spindles, hubs, kingpins, bearings, and brakes are much larger on the big rigs. It's highly unlikely they would have used the same axle forging to span that range of weight capacities. "Sid's Axles" seems to be the current guru on straight axle information. You might try contacting them if one of the professional part number crunchers on this site can't give you some guidance.
I grew up around a shop in Nashville in the 1950's where they did wheel alignment by bending straight axles, so unless your axle is bent into a veritable horseshoe shape, a couple of 30-ton jacks, some big chains, and an I-beam can probably straighten the one you've got. I'd suggest contacting a shop where they do wheel alignment on 18-wheelers.
Jerry
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| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Look on the axle somewhere in the front or back on the concave surface after cleaning thoroughly to ID the numbers, then you can find a mate for yours.
How and where is it bent?
A picture would help. If you are going to get it repaired, need to clean thouoghly. GMC and Chevy axles may fit you truck.
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.
| | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 9,830 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 9,830 | I'm going to say no, the axles aren't the same between 1/2 ton and the larger trucks, because the axles have u-bolt holes in them to hold the springs on, and the bigger trucks have wider spring leaves, so the holes would be spaced appropriately.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,841 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,841 | Also a little more info, the nominal weight rating of these trucks, i.e. 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2 ton was based on the front axle weight rating.
1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 36 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 36 | | | | | | Joined: Jan 2021 Posts: 10 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2021 Posts: 10 | 3581101GM18 is cast on the front of my axle. It's not bent too bad at all. I pulled it off and took it to a machine shop to have it straightened. I just thought it might be easier to replace it with one that hasn't been bent. It's late and I'm not seeing how to post a pic right now. I'll check for that in the morning. I was still driving the truck around my yard. It's just toed in pretty bad as the drivers side is bent around the spring mount. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 | The photo posting instructions are in the left margin of every page. Unless your using a cell phone.
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
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| | | | | Joined: Jan 2021 Posts: 10 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2021 Posts: 10 | | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,189 | Revisit your axle number 3581101...I believe it's 3681101 which is a 1946 ONLY axle that fits OE, OF, OG, PL, PV, PW & PX (1-1/2 & 2-ton trucks). Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,946 | You MAY have to download them to a computer first, then resize them if they're too large. | | |
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