The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1947 1st series closed/open driveshaft???

I just picked up a '47 1st series 3/4 ton for parts and noticed that the transmission is a 4 speed torque tube type, but then the driveshaft goes to a carrier bearing, then turns into an open driveshaft style rear end. Is this stock for 3/4 ton+ trucks? I'm going to use that setup in my truck to use a newer rear end i think. I've got a '40 3/4 ton and it's got torque tube setup all the way.

That is the stock set-up for 3/4-ton trucks until 1954 when the torque tube was completely done away with. Measure everything and see if the swap will work, someone will chime in on the 40'application I am not familiar with the early Art-Deco truck set-ups.

Jake:

I believe the half and half set up started in ’41. Mine actually used a torque tube differential with its snout cut off and an open yoke installed to mate with the open drive shaft.

I also have a 1940 3/4 ton. Why change just the rear end? If you are changing the rear for an open driveline, it stands to reason you would upgrade transmissions at the same time... say to a t5.

So I'll make a list of questions...
What rear end are you going to use?

1940 3/4 ton has a 6 on 5.5 lug pattern. 1947 3/4 ton is an 8 lugger.

What are you trying to accomplish?
Better gears, better braking, more transmission options? Are you trying to use parts you have? I am confused.

What engine will you be running?

I'm trying to use the parts that I have, i like to keep stuff as original as possible but mainly it's because of money. I bought this '47 for $200 for parts and it has a lot of things that i can use, and i don't really care about the bolt patterns or anything, but i might put a nova rear end under it that i have. I'm not really restoring the truck, just getting it drivable. I have put disc brakes on the front, but i made the bearing adapters and brackets and stuff so that i can use newer rotors and bearings, that's the one thing that i wanted to make more modern and it hasn't cost me anything. I have a 216 that someone else rebuilt and lost interest, and it came with the bellhousing and transmission, i have a 250 i could've put in there, but it doesn't look as nostalgic as the 216, and i don't need to go fast. I spent 3 years and thousands and thousands on my '67, frame off and all that, with a highly modified 327 and posi and the go fast stuff, but I don't want to do that again, and i can't afford it now, plus i'm having more fun just trying to make it work with what i have.

I think you mentioned "1st series". Does that mean that you have the non synchronized 4 speed?

yes, it's a non synchronized unit.