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Having completed my 46 burb, I have found myself in a situation a lot of you have already been in.
Driveability. That old NOISY and clumsy and slow tranny and rear have to go. No Sycronizers! I have some money in them as I but new bearings and everything in the originals but I need some more speed and reliability.
I'm looking to replace the rear (to get red of the torque tube) and put in a modern tranny with a floor shifter.
I also want to keep the integrity of the car so a potential buyer, down the road, could swap the original parts back if they want to.
Any suggestions on a rear and tranny?
thanks in advance
Jim

Hey jim, Im trying to do the same thing w/ my 38. been scratchin my head with different possibilities. Im def. gonna replace the rear axle. i think you can pretty much use anything as long as the track width is the same. You will have to cut off the spring perches and weld new ones on. but that is the easy part. I was just in my owners manual trying to find the model # of my trans w/ no luck.

Been backwards & forwards with trying to decide wich drivetrain to repace mine with and I keep comming back to a 350. Unfortunitly, I think it will be the easiest and cheapest route to go. the motor is a little wider, but deffinity shorter than my 216. My next step is to see what trans will fit in with the least headaches... Im thinking a T-5 5speed out of an early S-10

OK 46Burb the best solution is to go with the T-5 S-10 overdrive trans that everyone on this site is yaking about. I've made the switch in my 46 pickup and it's really sweet. With the 46 you have a smaller trany pattern between bellhousing and tranny, easy cure which also aids in swapping in the T-5, is to contact Buffalo Ent. for an adaptor plate. You will need this adaptor with any trans you use.
Buffalo Ent. is in WA State phone 360 652-7684.

Also you easiest rear end to go for is from a 55 and later pickup, most were 3:90 ratio and should be easy to find.

Ji merit-- will the T-5 bolt right up to a 350? or do you think Im better off with another man. tranny? I would like to find one with the same basic size as my org.
thanks

MAC 38-The T-5 bolts up to any modern GM bellhousing/trans pattern. That is all trucks after 49 or so and all Chev cars after 55. This S-10 unit would be fine, however these units were behind 4 cyls and small V6s and not really stout enough for severe punishment. A local buddy has been running his T-5(4cyl type) for a couple years now without trouble, behind a 235. The ultimate GM T-5 was from The Camaro/Firebirds, V8 powered. For the older truck application the trick is to use the Camaro T-5 but swap on the S-10 tail housing which moves the shifter way foreward nearer to stock location. You guys need to read all the tech tips here and at Inliners.org. Like my 46, the older narrow cab trucks make a good home for the T-5s as no side linkage is required. I ran a saginaw 4 speed for many years, was fine but I like the top loader better plus you get OD gear.

Guess I cam up with a couple more ?s when I should have been sleeping.
Will my ride height be ok or what do I do about springs?
How do I get the f & r wheels to be the same?
Don't want to do the front too.
Thanks for the info, sounds good so far!
Jim

Your ride height should be about the same with a different axle, within an inch. You can reuse your existing springs. You just have to remount the spring perches on your new axle to match up w/ the leaf springs.
I have super large spring packs since mine is a 3/4 ton, about 11" thick. When I replace my rear axle, I am going to remove some of the springs to lower my rear. I have a heavy duty truck shop around the corner from me that specializes in springs. Im going to talk to them about making me a new front set with hopefully only 2 or 3 leaves in it to lower my front.

the easiest way to get your org. wheels to match up is to take one with you when your shopping for a new rear; make sure they fit. the bolt patterns used in 46 are still used today... hell, toyota truck wheels fit mine!!!

If you cant find an axle w/ the same bolt pattern you can also get a wheel spacer/adapter. but this will increase your track about 1" on each side. you can also use one of these if you find an axle that is 2" narrower than your org....

thanks for all the info. it looks like an early spring project. I'll try to post some picts
Jim