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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 29 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 29 | hi there, ok, I know that a t5 tranny will work bolted up to my 235 engine, but does any one know what rear end will work in my 46 chevy that is on the original frame. Having troubles finding info on what might fit, without doing a whole bunch of modifications. I know that there will be some, but not sure where to start, or what to look for. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 784 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 784 | shmkr, You can use the center pumpkin from a 55-58 truck. It will bolt right on to your 46 axel housing taking the place of your torque tube. You will have to weld on new spring perches and find a drive shaft that fits and you are good to go.
Most of the 55-58 pumpkins will have 3.90 gears which work pretty well with a T5. The nice thing about this switch is that you can use your 46 axels and you get to keep your original emergency brake steup.
If you are still using your 46 bell housing you will need an adaptor plate for the T5 and make some other modifications to the cross member. There is some real good information on this switch in the Tech Tips. Be sure to check them out. If you have more questions be sure to post them here.
Good luck
George | | | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 29 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 29 | thanks for the info,but finding a 55 to 58 up here in Canada might me a challenge, but I have a couple of suppliers that might be able to help with that. really wish I could see the pictures from the tech section from john on the t5 swap to see how he handled the clutch and brake peddles. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 338 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 338 | shmkr,
I have a 1940 truck, 1960 235, 198X T-5 and a 1955 1st series rearend. I changed the bellhousing to one from buffalo enterprises so I could retain my brake and clutch pedals, The 1955 1st series rearend is a direct replacement for your rearend but it is open drive instead of torque tube. This axle is a couple inches wider than the original but it was an easy swap. I also switched to monoleaf springs. I did have to monkey around with the emergency brake cables to make the 1940 cable work with the 1955 rearend.
I didn't know about the pumpkin switch or I would have done that. The tricky part of that switch is changing the spring perches as mentioned above. The torque tube rearend's perches are designed to allow the rearend to rotate as it goes through the suspension travel. Not something you want with an open drive line.
Good luck with the swap. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 784 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 784 | If you are using your orig. 46 bell housing, there isn't anything to do to the pedal assembly. Use three grade 8 bolts to bolt it to the bell housing and don't worry about the mounting bolts that originally went to the trans.
If your original trans was a three speed, you will need to cut/grind off the bosses on the side of the pedal bracket. The T5 is wider than the 3spd and these bosses get in the way. You will see what I mean if you try to bolt the pedal assembly with out cutting them off. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,031 |
Last edited by carolines truck; 11/30/2007 5:28 AM.
Jim & Caroline
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| | | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 29 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 29 | well i have located a t5 tranny, but any ideas if an 1988 t5 is too new. the wrecker could not tell me too much info because it is still in the truck. it is in a s10. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 | You can do a search here and on Inliners.org for T-5 numbers etc. My 46 has had 4 rear ends since I've owned it, stock,pass car torque tube, 3:90 open rear from a 57 pickup and now 3:08 ratio gears in a 66 pickup axle. If you can use 5 lug wheels there are many more rear ends to choose from. I think camaros and also S-10 4x4 pickups are about the width you could use. Best ratio I believe is near 3:50 with the T-5.
Also contact Buffalo Ent for a nifty adaptor plate to use with your stock bellhousing to the T-5 also this man knows every trick in the book on old chevs and swapping stuff. His ph (360)652-7684 | | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | The 88 up uses the electronic speedo.This was the stransition year so I could be wrong. Have the yard man look at the speedo outlet. If it,s a cable it,s O.K. If its a wire connection you would have to use custom gauges or a converter which are expensive either way.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | |
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