The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop rear end

Today I did a fluid change on my 54..4spd, and rear end..My truck has been changed to an open driveline, with a center bearing on a 1/2 ton..Don't ask me, I went through this before here..Anyway, my shop manual says the capacity for the rear end is 4pts..Well, mine took 5..Is there a possibility that when the driveline was changed that the rear end was too..If I can get some numbers, which I have no idea where they might be, where can I find out if it's an original 54?..Thanks Ya'll, Steve..Also, If someone has a 54 with a 4spd with a straight open driveshaft, could you measure the u-joint to u-joint dimension, so I can maybe get rid of this setup and go with a straight driveshaft..

54 1/2 tons came with a closed driveline (torque tube), so your rear end is not the original. If your 4 speed is a SM420, you want to retain the two piece driveshaft with steady bearing. The SM420 is very short. It's almost impossible to find a one piece driveshaft with slip yoke long enough to to the job. A one piece driveshaft would have been 64" on my truck (which has a Camaro rear end. I went all over looking for a driveshaft that would work, finally used a two piece (the guy who balanced my driveshaft told me I would end up with a two piece - he said a shaft at least 64" long with slip joint was very rare, but I went looking anyway). I think there is are web sites that can help with identifying the rear end; maybe do a search thru the forums?

Thanks bro..My trans is very short, so I think I'll keep it the way it is and lube up the center bearing and just drive it (like Joker would say)..Have a great evening, Steve