Need to know what rear end I have. Doing the okie bushing trick . Got a 1949 3100 chevy. didn't find any dowels on the driveshaft to drill out ,I pulled the front bushing ,no problem still no dowels around rear seal .Plan on driving in an okie bushing and pushing rear seal backward .Is there a serial number on the rear axle to tell me the year ,before I buy the wrong okie bushing .Don't have a mic ' but the front bushing is 1.7?? .Any help greatly appreciated .
Go to the Parts Wiki link. Dimensions are given for the front and rear bushings (slip and press fit). 1937 to early 50 are slip fit and doweled. 1950 later to 54 press fit and no dowels. Rear axle gears wear out and I imagine it's easier to swap out the axle and tube. Also the brakes changed from Huck to Bendix in 1951.