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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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For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Sep 2018 Posts: 4 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2018 Posts: 4 | Please forgive me if I missed answers to my question while searching the archives. I have an all original drivetrain 3100. Including a factory 4 speed on the floor. I would like to leave it mostly original but improve the drivability to more modern highway speeds. Is there a way to keep the original rear axel with torque tube but swap out the differential gears for something that would allow improved highway speeds? | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Yes - Mother Trucker sells an excellent 3.55 Ring & Pinion Set (and, I think the old instructions).
Maybe someone will post a link to an installation parts set (bearings/seals/gaskets/etc necessary for a good/tight installation, and, no noise when running).
A few tools/gauges are need - Harbor Freight and others sell them.
There may be more information on-line (I will check the Tech Tips here - have you checked them?) | | | | | Joined: Sep 2018 Posts: 4 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2018 Posts: 4 | Thx soo much for the reply. No I have not checked with tech tips yet but I will. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,215 | I did exactly what Tim just suggested. Then added 30" tall tires and a 261 (able to get it cheap) and I had a top speed of 85 mph. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | From an old post:
“I have Cooper Tire SRM II LT215/85R16 black truck radials on my Suburban (they are pretty old, 10+ years).
The 1954 16" rims are 4.5" x 16".
Your 1947/48 rims might be either 4.0" or 4.5"
The mounted tire diameter, as Carl posted, is around 31". The "advertised" diameter is around 28".”
3.55 ring & pinion and all new rear-end and torque-tube and u-joint parts.
On a long flat straight empty road, I once had in up to 93 MPH - to impress a friend.
He was not impressed until I told him to check the speedometer.
Never again. | | |
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