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I need you help/advice. This spring I plan on pulling my stock 1955.1 rear end on my truck and would like to swap in the easiest/cheapest possible donor. I have a reliable and credible buddy who will be assisting me in the procedure. Right not the stock rear end is running 3.90 gears with a 283 small block up front with a 4 speed saginaw tranny on the floor. I am keeping the motor and tranny but what to change the rear end so that I am not beating the motor to death running 60-65. Ideally the new rear end would allow me to do 75-80mph. I want to keep the 6 lug pattern on the rear end as well.

Please ole stovebolt brothers and sisters any input/direction/guidance/suggestions will be pondered and appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

Yeah the ring and pinion I could get from Patricks is $550 for the whole kit than probably $300-$400 for labor to put it in.

I would rather try to swap rear ends but you never know I might win the lottery.

Thanks,
Chris

I would look for a '73-'87 Blazer or K10 rear end in the boneyards. My '84 K10 has 2.73 axles in it. It cruises nice on the highway, but with the old 305(almost 200k on it) and the SM 465 granny low four speed, I'm the slowest thing on the road getting off the line. The 4wd axles still take the six lug wheels, and I think the axle is just a little wider than what you have now.

Right on Eric,

See you are from Madison, born and raised on the east side. Actually taught at Madison LaFollette High School for a year.

Where abouts in Madison are you located? I will definitely keep my eyes peeled for a blazer rear end.

Thanks,
Chris

Hey Chris,
I too have the 55.1 with a 283 and mine is running through a TH350. I got my Ring and Pinion from West Coast Differentials. I am very happy with my new 3.38 gears, running 2300 RPM at 55 MPH, smooth and quiet. $300 R&P $150 install kit, $150 set up on the third member at a good gear shop. I saved a couple of $$ by taking apart the third member and cleaning everything before I took it in. They just had to put all the clean parts together with the install kit and set it up.

Good Luck,
Buddy

Chris,

I have been trying to decide which way to go myself...while looking for a rear end, I came across the 2000 S-10 Blazer rear end. It had rear discs. I was thinkin if a guy combined that rear with a 5 lug front disc conversion, it would be a sweet setup.

Problem is, I don't know much about the width of a 2000 S-10 rear. Surfin the web, I also found some posi rear ends too from that vintage.

Another problem I was having is finding a gear combo between tranny and rear end that would be a good setup....hopefully someone will chime in and set me straight....

Another question for you Chris....your 55.1 is running 3.90 rear?? What would a T-5 out of an S-10 do for you? Could you accomplish what you want by switching the tranny instead of the rest? Might be easier/cheaper?

Again others will hopefully answer....

I just finished installing a mid-80"s Blazer 4WD rear axle in my 52 GMC. The old axle measured from the center of the axle to center of the axle, 63 7/16". The new axle measured the same way was 64 9/16". 1 1/8" wider for the new axle. That is only 9/16" for each side.

The new axle is a 3:08 ratio which did slow down the acceleration a bunch, but now I can run 65MPH at 2000RPM. The new axle is also uses a 6-bolt wheel pattern and I am running the stock 16" wheels.

You can check out my write up of the swap along with a few pictures at the discussion board of oldgmctrucks.com under the grease pit category. Or use the following link to go directly to the post.

http://oldgmctrucks.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=272004236&f=294006236&m=636107195

There you go Chris. Sounds like afu45 has all your answers. Wish I had the 3.08 ratio myself as I sometimes pull trailers, and the engine just runs out of poop with the 2.73. I plan to install a 292 straight six when the 305 bent eight finally gives up. I think the 292 with it's low end grunt will love the tall ratio.

I'm actually in Fitchburg about 3 miles South of the beltline, midway between Madison and Oregon.

we have a 3.08 ratio behind the 235 and three speed out of a 56 and she is great plenty of power proberly could add a 4/speed later