The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rear End Swap

I have a 1947 Chevy with a 3/4 ton rear end. Years ago the truck had a 350 V8 and auto transmission installed which I plan to put back in. I would like to swap the rear end for something that will perform better at higher speeds. I have a friend who has a '93 **** Explorer that will donate the rear end from that vehicle. I was told that this rear end is a good swap as far as width is concerned. Can anyone verify this for me?

BigMac-

Our warm weather has you working on the truck! Gotta love spring.

Using the Chevy Trucks page I have noted before, it looks like 47-54 chevy trucks should run 60-62 inches in width. The 3/4 ton has a heavy duty, floating rear axle, but I believe the plate-to-plate width is the same. Check the Explorer width.

As far as the U joints with the current shaft put in with the 350 auto transmission combo, also examine these on your truck and compare to the Explorer. What type of tranny did the PO drop in? Should be compatible, but you should check it out first.

Finally, you'll probably have to consider suspension when you swap. Where are the perches on the '93 Explorer? Did you want to upgrade rear suspension too?

Hope we get to see some pics of the beast soon-

I picked the truck up in the Spokane Valley. The body is in very good shape with only a couple areas of minor rust. To answer your questions. The PO heated the leaf springs to drop the back end so I plan on putting on a new rear and front suspension. The transmission is a 350 turbo automatic. With the rear end I will also pick up the drive shaft and will have to shorten. Am I correct in assuming that the most important factor when doing the kind of swap I am doing is that the width of the new RE be the same width (or very close) to the one I am removing?!?

I just installed a gm 10 bolt from a 87 blazer,perfect width and six lug. In my 51 chevy 3100 with saginaw 4spd and 235. old navy 51............

As a direct answer to your axle question- yes the width is good. I picked one up myself as it was a good width. However you are going to need to move the suspension perches around a bit to make it work. Not that such things are a lot worse than any other rear-end swap but it should be in your mind's to-do list.

Check the U-joint types at the rear axle and transmission...typical ones include the 1310, 1330 and 1350. I'm guessing you have a 1310 at the trans end but I don't know about the F**d rear axle. You may have to get a custom driveshaft fabbed or get a "conversion" u-joint that mixes/matches different u-joint sizes. The 1350 is the beefiest u-joint of the three listed above (wider, larger diameter journals).

BigMac-

Great news. Glad to hear the body is in good shape.

Sounds like you're well on your way, thinking about these drivetrain and suspension issues. Others have noted that you'll have to graft suspension, but it sounds like a clean swap. When you have things in place, measure the shaft length and go to the web. I found compatible driveshafts in the yard without having to pay to modify the one in hand.

Old Navy,

Do the original wheels fit the 87 rear end, or is 6 bolt chevy still six bolt chevy? Are these rear ends as available as I would think (read affordable)? And lastly, how hard is the conversion (spring mounts, brake set up, etc)?

Thanks for the idea!