The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop my cost to swap in powergide rear end

If you are thinking of swapping in a powerglide rear to get a better gear ratio in your old truck, here are some things to think about and what it cost me. I have a 1940 1/2 ton pick up with a gear ratio of 4.56 and I found a complete rear end and torque tube assembly out of a 1952 hardtop with a 3.55 and paid $100.00. Plus I had to do the work to get it out. The car had 5 lug wheels so I pulled the axles and drums and had them redrilled for six lugs so I could use my 6 hole wheels and brand new tires. I had trouble finding a machine shop that would do the job because the holes were very near the edge of the axle flange. Wheel studs were $17.04 and drilling axles and drums and welding in the studs was $70.00. I installed new axle seals $22.00 and put the axles back in and replaced the differential cover using a new gasket $4.50 and silicone also $4.50. The axle bearings were OK so I used them but that could be another cost on your swap. I had to rebuild the brakes on the donor unit and the brake shoes were $33.50, wheel cylinders $96.00, and turned drums $16.00. Next I took the housing and had the existing spring perches cut off, $20.00. The Machine shop redrilled the spring pads to move the rear axle back one inch as it was longer than the one it replaced, $16.00. New steel brake lines were $10.34 and the flexible line was $31.00. The original flexible line was not long enough to hook up to the new axle and the only one I could find was way too expensive. I bought it anyway. I put the new assembly under my truck and hooked up the u-joint and bell using a new gasket $13.50. Next I had to call a welder with a portable welder to come to my house and weld the spring perches back on to my carefully positioned housing, $50.00. Lastly I filled it up with oil $9.00 and bled the brakes, $8.00. Just completed the job yesterday and am enjoying my new old gears. The total money spent on the changeover was $521.38. In my case it might have been better to buy Patrick's new gears. If something happens to one of my axles or brake drums while I'm on the road, I'll be in hot water. Hope this post wasn't too long. Dale

Well sounds like a cheap deal.

I got a 41 Sedan (torque tube).

1.Bought a 59 Overdrive in the US 300 + Shipping (150) and Tax (90) $540.

2. I need an 6V Ford Solenoid 80+Shipping+tax= $120

3. 59 half ton rearend (because of 6 lug) found here in Germany 200 + 120 shipping $320

4. New break pads, lines $90

5. slip yoke, u-joints, used Asro Van driveshaft another $300

6. The shop that did the work ripped me completley off. They made a new "tranny bracket" that is just a 1" iron bar welded on the frame and two universal rubber mounts.

Than they welded (brutal) 2 threaded rods on the frame and 2 others on the rearend as a "mount" for the new shocks.

Home made perches where welde to the rearend without removing the old ones.


Everything was thrown together in a hurry (after they had the car for almost 6 months), looks awfull like it was made on an afternoon and they charged me 2500(!!) for this crap.

Against my advise they used the old wheel cylinders. Of course all the fluid came out and ruined the new shoes and eat all the new paint on the backing plates, drums and part of the rear axke.

Of course all ended up in front of a judge now, but they don`t questioned the price, they just make them to redo the breaks. (No wonder ehy Justitia is blindfolded) :o

Even without the shop desaster I spend $1280

So if you lucky guys over the Ocean with all your Boneyards full of cheap parts and skilled cheap mechanics ever found a modification to expensive,

Think of what you would have paid in Germany, thank God that you are an American and have a Beer on me.

That is why a choose to do all my own work when ever possible. The so called "Professional Job" is usually not up to my standards. They are all about get in and get it out as fast as possible and will cut corners. I know this is not true for every shop, but I have seen this kind of work many places.

Jim