The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Big Project Coming Up!

This April I will begin the saga of swapping rear ends, disc brake conversion on front, dual master cylinder and brake lines.

I am wondering if there is a sequence I should follow? I plan on the rear end swap first, of course new components for the brakes, move to the disc conversion, install the dual master the plumb the lines.

A buddy of mine will be assisting in the project but aftet that the truck will be completely done as far a big projects go. Sure I still need to put in new vent glass, put in the stainless steel bed strips and stain the bed wood, but I am trying to get the bigger parts taken care of first.

Since I have the rear end, does anyone have a recomendation as to who I should get the disc conversion kit from as well as the dual master cylinder.

I have a 55.1.

Thanks,

Chris

I'm wondering why you are swapping out a '55 first rear-end. Do you have a high horsepower engine in your truck? What are you replacing it with?
Will you want your front wheel pattern to match the rear? That will be a factor in determining how to go on the discs.
You should be able to easily sell your old rear-end to someone with a '53 or older. It's almost a direct bolt-up.

Hey Cletis,

The P.O. of my 55.1 put in a 283 small block, that is why I am swapping rear ends. I have had the truck for two years and have enjoyed doing 50-55mph, but as Maverick and Goose said in Top Gun, "I Feel the Need, the Need for Speed".

Since I have the 5 lug rear end I am doing the disc conversion up front to have 5 lugs all the way around. I will have the original 55.1 rear end posted in the swap meet along with two sets of 6 lug rims.

Thanks,

Chris

HI Chris,
I have a 55 1st also I am looking at replacing the rear, I have a 350 short block, with a TH350 auto. Tranny I am dropping in, as it doesn't have a motor now. What rear end did you put in? Any problems doing it?

Mike

I've been told - and I'm not sure - that a Chevy S-10 rear is a direct bolt in to a AD series truck. Also, the 4WD ones have better gearing - also a rumour I heard. Anyway, I have one here (not to sell) and can measure/verify for you if you'd like. They DO make rear disc kits for these.
As far as sequence goes, you work on the end you want to first! Sequence only matters when bleeding brakes!

if you are buying a rearend you can go with a chevy or gmc late model think 98 and up s-10-blazer jemmey or envoy rear thay have disk from factory out of salvage yard.but be ware thay dont like beeing hammered on with a highpower v-8.but thaay did come with the 4.6 v-6 in those trucks

The rear under a 2-wheel-drive S-10 is too narrow to use under an AD truck unless you go with extreme offset wheels. I've been told the rear from a 4x4 S-10 is enough wider that it works.

I have the rear from a '73 Chevelle under my '55 1st and the width is about perfect.

OldYeller55,

I have a 1977 Z-28 oosi rear end with 3:42 gears. It isn't in yet but that is where I am starting in April, need warm weather.

Thanks,
Chris