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| | | | Joined: Jun 2023 Posts: 4 Moderated | | Moderated Joined: Jun 2023 Posts: 4 | I've got a 1952 3600. I want to replace the entire rear axle with a more modern one for better brakes and gear ratio. I plan to keep the rest of the drivetrain as is. 235 w/4-speed trans. Has someone done this and can tell me what to look for in the junkyard?
Last edited by Gdads51; 01/23/2026 5:08 PM. Reason: edit title to separate into it's own thread
Rob H
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,503 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,503 | It was already done before I bought my '52. It came to me with a 67 Camaro rear axle that has 3.55:1 gears. The previous owner also had 5 lug disk brakes put on the front. Cruising at 60-65 is easy and I had it to 75 once with a tailwind.
The rear brakes are no better than the 52 brakes.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,458 Crusty Old Sarge | | Crusty Old Sarge Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,458 | The rear-end from a Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon is the right width. They were available with 3:55 or 3:73 gears, they were also 6 lug. I have driven a 3100 (PaPa Joe's "OldBlue") that had this conversion with 3:73 gears and a T5 transmission, it's a great combination.
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400"The Book of Thor"Read the story in the DITY1960 Chevrolet C10"A Family Heirloom"Follow the story in the DITY Gallery'59 Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting) If you don't like driving yourTruck, you won't drive yourTruck..| Living life in the SLOW lane | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 6,056 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 6,056 | Craig - His 3600, unless changed from stock, has the 8 lug 3/4 ton rear axle. Rob - I think you are more likely to be looking towards an axle upgrade like in this Legacy Tech Tip, AD 3/4 - 1 Ton rear axle Upgrade. Or maybe an alternative later 14 Bolt Axle Swap as written up by fellow Bolter Grigg. Of the two choices here, the later by Grigg may be easier to find parts (newer trucks) as the HO52/HO72 axles with 4.11 ratios in the earlier trucks are getting pretty hard to find these days. I'd suggest giving both of these a good read, then come back and ask more questions depending on which direction you decide to go in. 
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2021 Posts: 1,412 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2021 Posts: 1,412 | Just as an FYI, I did the 14 bolt axle swap per Grigg's write up and can provide more insight if that is the direction that you head. | | |
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