The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Changing Ring and Pinion from 4:11 to 3:55...?????

I have a 53 3100 with the stock rear end (4:11). Looking for adivce on changing out the rear end gear to the 3:55. Pros/Cons....

3.55 rears will take a lot away from your acceleration at highway speed. At highway speed it will do almost do nothing when you step on the gas. With a stock transmission, there is too big a gap to drop down a gear which will lead you wanting a close ratio 4 speed. This makes a nice cruiser. However, if you have faster gears, you will have less engine braking and you should consider upgrading the braking system. If you are going to be going faster, your steering needs to be in top shape. 3.55's are only a starting point. It can get to be a $3k or $4k deal. I personally don't care for anything less than a 270 GMC or better yet a 302 in front of 3.55 rears, but that adds to the tab also.

Yes it does add to the tab... I am not looking for speed but just to lower the RPM's on the stock 216 at 50-60 MPH. The 216 is strong but I just don't know what is to much and for how long. I want to drive my truck to some shows that are about a 45 mile drive on the highway to I just don't want to kill the motor. And yes I don't want to spend a fortune right now. So is that a GO or NO GO... Thanks!

You might check out Gear Vendors or Ranger overdrives. They're not cheap either, but they should give you the best of both worlds when it comes to power or speed.

Has anyone done this and like/dislike the results? Please let me know?

As long as your engine is full of oil and you have a good radiator full of coolant, you are not going to hurt a 216 at 50 or 60. Back in the 50's they were usually driven at that speed if the road allowed it. If you are afraid of engine speed, I would invest a few bucks in dropping the pan and plastigauging the babbits and making sure the dippers are in place. If your babbits are good and they get oil, don't worry about it. You will get accustomed to the fan, and valve train noise. Remember there isn't much between you and the engine on these old things. In fact unless you have replaced grommets, there are several places you can see the engine from inside the cab.

Yes the cab does have a few holes doesn't it...

In reality there is not enough power up front to handle a 3.55 gear in the back. Off the line you would be under powered you'd think the engine was a 4 banger.
What these old trucks need is more gears like a box with the normal low gears so you can accelerate but then have an overdrive so the RPM's can be brought down once you get to highway speeds.
I say this cause I have a 1 ton diesel,with a 5 speed and it it fine in all the gears but lacks the 6th gear to bring down the R's at highway speeds.
If I was to change the rear gear to bring down R's I would loose the power I need in the lower gears.
Guess that's why new stuff has 6 speed trans in them !
Dan

If you inquire through the Stovebolt you may find someone in or near Orlando who has installed 3.55 gears with a 216 you could test drive. You could also talk to Patrick"s in Arizona who are the only ones I know of at this time who are having 3.55 AD gears manufactured. Jim Carter sells Patrick's 3.55 gears and is very helpful.

Hey jgwill26, I put a set of 3.55's in my '53 half ton. They came from Patrick's and I had the machine shop put them in for me. He liked the instructions that came with the gears. The truck is not on the road yet, can't say how they will work out.

1953 Panel,
did Patrick's supply the spider gears for you? There was a post a while ago that stated that they supplied them.

Fred

I changed my stock 411 (1957 3200) to a 339 with ring and pinion gears from Yukon Gears out of California

I changed mine to 3:35 (from Patricks). Went from about 3300 to 2800 at 70 MPH and am very happy with it.

Running a 350 and a saginaw 4 speed.

Whether 3:55 gears are for you depends on how you plan to use your truck. If you plan on going on long drives, or drive at highway speeds, then go for it.

I put these beauties in my truck, and its one of the best upgrades I have ever done. I have installed several sets of these in my and my buddies truck.

If you check out my Webshots page, there is an album dedicated to this swap.

Thanks everyone...

Fred, Patrick's did not supply the spider gears, I got lucky and found a very good set locally for nothing.
Leo