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| | Forums66 Topics128,051 Posts1,055,766 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 31 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 31 | Howdy Fellow Stovebolters!
It's been quite awhile since I've had the chance to peruse the hallowed ground of Stovebolt.com. I've been crazily busy with school, but since this is finals week, Stovebolting season is about to start up for me again. We are about to get a 1951 Chevy Panel Truck that I was considering upgrading the drive train in. Awhile back, I bought some miscellaneous truck parts off a gentleman I knew, and among them was the back axle off a 1983 1/2 ton chevy pickup. The spring perches were re-located to work on a 1947-53 Chevy pickup truck, but he never mentioned what kind of screws it was running. I was hoping one of you might have an idea what gear ratios 83 1/2 ton's came with. I hate to tear the rear end apart just to count the teeth on the gears, but it sounds like a good candidate for the panel truck. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Jake | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | What is the width of the 83? Are you sure it will fit your 51?
~Jim
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 31 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 31 | I'm not entirely sure of the hub to hub width. The guy I bought it off of had the intention of putting it under his 50 Chevy truck, so he set up the locations of the spring perches based off of that. I would assume it fits, but that's only an assumption. Hopefully I'll get lucky, because the panel has 5.14 gears in it right now, which aren't really good for highway driving which is what I'd ultimately like to do with the truck. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,317 | "Assumption is the Mother of Error".....the critical measurement is the width....on my 54 it was 62" which required a rim with a 4" backspacing. Measurement is from rim mounting surface to mounting surface.
R&P ratio is simple. With one wheel blocked and one free to turn....mark the drum at 12:00 and mark the Yoke so you can keep track of both marks. Turn the drum 10 rotations while you count the turns of the yoke. Example: 10 turns from the drum equals 18 turns of the yoke.....DOUBLE the number of the yoke (36) turns and divide that number by 10 which ='s 3.60. This is for a non-posi diff.
Just a suggestion....I've used the 80's Camaro diffs in my 54 truck....most common R&P ratio is 3.42 and 3.08....3.73's are a little scarce. They are plentiful and inexpensive...require cleaning off the coil spring mounting brackets and some shims straps to adapt the 2-5/8" axle tubes to 3" U-bolts. The stock Camaro sway bar will easily adapt to the AD frame (39" from eye to eye) and 1-3/4" spring perches are available from Tractor Supply or any trailer shop. If you go with a S10 T5 upgrade the shortbed S10 driveshaft is a good fit and will bolt up without changing any u-joints. Check out my diff mods in my webshots. It's a great way to open up the diff, get a great R&P ratio and works.
Dave | | |
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