The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Two Speed Rear End

I have a 46 model 2 ton dump. I want to put a two speed rear end in it. My dad has a two speed rear end in a 62 Ford two ton that he is willing to let me have.

Can anyone let me know if there is any hope making that two speed rear end fit my truck. Me and my truck are in West Tennessee and my Dad and his are in middle Georgia so I can't crawl around and look at it myself right now.

If there is any hope for this thing fitting, I'd like to get it next time I am down. Otherwise, he wants the truck out of his way.

Thanks a bunch

David

Hy bigcopter, the two housings may be the same, count the bolts which hold the diff. into the housing and measure the O. D. of the diff casting and compare to yours. If they are not interchangable then you can swap the whole rear end, you may have to relocate the spring perches, and you'll have to deal with a 12 volt shift motor, this is definately a doable swap, hope that helps.

David,
Just checking -- you probably already know this so tell me to shut my pie hole -- will you be working your truck or just driving it around? If the latter, you know you don't really need a 2-speed, right? 2 speeds give greater ability to start off under a load. They don't give any speed advantages on the top end.

Just trying to save you some hassle if all you are wanting to do is just drive around. If you are going to haul stuff and understand all this, then by all means.

I only bring this up because I learned this lesson AFTER going through the hassle of finding a 2-speed and rebuilding it for my truck.

Respectfully,
John Milliman

Oh -- I like your log in name -- are you a '53 or a '47 driver or mech?

(Sorry about using your account, Peg )

As John mentioned above,a 2 speed won't give you a faster top speed.The other rearend may have a faster ratio in it to give you more speed .It will probably be a lot wider than your 46 rearend,outside edge of tire to outside edge of tire, so it may not look to good on your 46 unless you have a real wide deck or box.I have a 46 2ton as well and am trying to come up with some better rearend as well. I don't think the diff. from the Ford is going to swap into the Chevy either.Even if the bolt pattern is the same,Axles won't have the same spline or length to interchange. Jim.

David,

I have a couple of 46 1.5/2 ton two speed rears and have no plans of using them. They are both still in chassis/trucks but I'm the other direction from you up north in Michigan. I'm working on a little bolt now (57 3100) and looking for a good passenger side door. If ya had one of those maybe we could work out a trade to make us both happy!

Chuck

Do you plan to relocate the entire donor truck, or just scavenge parts off it? If you're collecting parts, be sure and get all the shift controls, wiring, etc. to complete the job. Also get at least the section of the driveshaft that attaches to the Ford rear end, as you'll probably have to fabricate a driveline to make the swap work. If he's scrapping the truck out, I'd suggest taking the whole driveshaft assembly from the transmission back, hanger bearing and all, and possibly the crossmember the hanger bearing bolts onto, if possible. On a swap, it's always good to have more parts to choose from than you need, instead of having to scavenge up bits & pieces.

I went the other way a while back, fitting a GM 14-bolt axle to a Ford F-350 with a trashed-out rear end. It was not a 2-speed, but the conversion had some interesting challenges such as parking brake and brake line adaptations.

Look at the final drive ratios for both axles, particularly the high range of the 2-speed. You might not be doing yourself any favors speed-wise unless the 2-speed has a higher-speed upper ratio.
Jerry

Thanks for all of the info. I'm headed home for Christmas now I know just what to check while I'm there.

Thanks again,
David.