The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 38 p/u rear end swap

what and how do i go about swapping the rear end out? what is a good donor, what about spring hangers, leave stock ones is there a kit i can buy? help...........thanks

there is a list of donors in the tech tips section and if you search the archives on rear end swap you will find lots of info, then you can ask specific questions. The kits available from all the usual vendors are expensive, you will have to decide if they are worth it for you, they will make the swap easier

thanks i'm new here, i'll find my way around. i can see this is going to be helpful site. thanks again

You need to figure what transmission you are going to use. Transmission will detemine what rear axle, open driveshaft or closed original type driveshaft. The open type (modern) driveshaft and rear axle has a lot more options.
Joe

Find a good donor.Then make or buy new perches.Locate and weld them in the right place.Get a pair of 55-57 chev pass car bottom shock mounts. You can get a set of longer new U bolts at Canadian tire for $28.00 Canadian. You can use both your original bottom shock mount with the 55-57 one and use your origianal shocks.If you want you can now buid a top shock mount to conect to the 55 0ne, so you can now have 2 sets of shocks in the back.

nate 11 -

I'm doing the same thing right now. I'm putting a 55 Chevy car rear end under my 37 1/2 ton.

The May, 2005 issue of "Classic Trucks" magazine has an ad on page 30, right side of page, second item down. It is their kit which supplies you with the correct spring perchs, spring-shock plates and "U" bolts to this job. You can't find the items on their web site, but it is in the magazine ad.

Your current springs will work fine. The kit also has upper shock mounts included.

This kit will take care of all your rear end problems.

Now on to the transmission!

nate 11 - what part of Texas are you in?

Joe

thanks for the info. i'm from east texas (lufkin) thanks

Hi Nate!

It's funny, but I've spent literally months making up my mind on how rear axle I wanted to use on my '37.

I was leaning towards Ford 9", but at the last minute I came across a deal on a Jag IRS. As some of the other guys have said, some of the considerations you need to make are whether or not you're trying to keep it stock (or close to), what sort of power train you're going to use (especially keep horsepower in mind), and what sort of ultimate use you have in mind for your truck.

You can modify most Ford, Chevy, & Mopar axles to use your leaf springs, but you'll need to invest in brackets to mount shocks. Ride height is also limited with the stock springs (if your plan includes lowering).

As you go shopping, take a tape measure with you and compare the width of the donor axles.

Good hunting!

at the Jaloppy Showdown i was amaized at some of the old rears 20s &30s behind some worked and also modern engines. guess that old stuff is tough.

It's going to be a street rod. vortex v-6 engine. transmission undecided. mustang II frontend. where can i get the kit with all rear springs, hangers, etc. need to be able to adjust for ride height. i need to find a vendor!!! thank you!

Nate 11 - Look at Posies (http://www.posiesrodsandcustoms.com/) I'm sure you can find what you need.