The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1953 rear end swap

I have the opportunity to purchase a 1953 3100, I'm looking to swap out the rear end along with the transmission and driveshaft if the deal goes thru.
I have a limited amount of intelligence and alot of mechanical experience, can anybody and everybody guide me, better yet, in layman terms tell me what parts I would need to make this happen. I would like to switch over to parts that are readily available and easily repaired.
Can I go with a rear end that has disc brakes already and still work with existing emergency brake setup?
These are the questions among others that I would need information and installing procedures.
Thanks
Jim

There's no "bolt in" swap. What vehicle with rear discs are you considering? I doubt any rear disc brake setup on a modern car will work with a 53 truck parking brake setup.

In my opinion, you will first need to select what transmission you want to go with. Then choose an appropriate rear axle gear ratio which will work well with that transmission.
My first choice would be a T-5. They come in a number of gear ratios 1 through 5. Fifth gear ratio is the one that will best determine what rear axle ratio that you want to look for so that overdrive is useful and first gear isn't granny gear.
Parking brake cable attachment will need some fabrication if you go with a modern rear axle.

I'm not sure what rear end to use or where to find one that will work, everything I'm reading the width is like 62 inches and new shock pads need to be welded on, if that's correct.
As far as the transmission goes I'd like to keep the 3 on the tree linkage but would need a newer version transmission that would work for the 3 on a tree.
I can honestly say the e brake is really not a major concern as the floor boards are rotted out and I can do like Fred Flintstone to stop it only kidding.
Any reccomendations on what rear end and transmission that would work would be helpful.

Consider the differential swap. This would be the easiest way to success with. You will keep the brake lines and emergency brakes as they are. No mods. You will not get disc brakes but the diff will be 3.90. You will have to mod the axle perches as the pivots will not work. As 52carl noted, the T5 is best option and closest to bolt in you will get with minimal modifications. They are getting hard to find used but new and rebuilt’s are available. This is the route I went with no regrets.

Thanks, do you have rear end information and t 5 information, I looked at t 5 on line and they are going for about $2400.00, I'm looking for plain Jane daily driver trans.

You don't have to buy T5s a dozen at a time! Local salvage yards in my area are getting $500.00 to $750.00 for T5s, and private sales on places like Facebook marketplace are even lower.
Jerry

Definitely search your local Craigslist and FB Marketplace ads. There was an S10 T5 with what most would say were great gear ratios and mechanical speedometer drive on the East Coast that was advertised at $350. They are out there, you just have to actively look and watch.

You could also put an ad of your own in the Truck Parts Wanted forum.

Fellow Cheapskate here….

Even though I already own a very rebuildable core S10 T5, this (see link below) is a pretty good deal.

If I wasn’t such a cheapskate, I’d jump on it. A cable speedo S10 T5 core will be hard to find for less than $500. And if you bought one for that, the rebuild kit would cost you another $150 (low side).

Not mine. Not super far away from me, however.

https://www.facebook.com/share/15nnDWjMMs/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Is the truck really going to be a daily driver? Or is it just an occasional use hobby vehicle?

I think the original question was in regard to rear end swap. Does this truck have the original torque tube setup? I assume so?

The 55-64 1/2 ton truck rear is still super common and you can find one for less than $100, probably closer to free. It is a super easy swap. Might need someone to weld on some spring perches for you…that’s about it.

The rear under my truck is one of these that was literally free. I found out, during install, mine had a 3.38 gear set in it. 99% of them are going to be 3.90. 3.90 with 30 inch tires is a very highway drive-able combo.

So years 1955 64 half ton rears will work, with the exception of welding perches on?
Correct me if I'm wrong any 55 64 half ton trucks, or a specific model.

Can you be more specific on which t 5 to get?
Year range
Model or casting number etc.

There’s some overlap in the 63ish-64 range with the 6 lug 12 bolt rear end. The one I’m referring to is called a 55T or HO33. Looks nearly identical to the torque tube rears. Just has a normal u joint on the front.

Read up here:
https://lugnutz65chevystepside.weebly.com/thinking-about-installing-a-t5-read-this-first.html

Edit: that FB listing I posted earlier is an 89 and ~shouldn’t~ be a cable Speedo. But the seller says it is cable.