The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Drive line swap

At some point I would like to upgrade the tranny and drive line of my 1954 Chevy 3100. To keep the closed system I would need:

Patrick's rear end gears (3.55) $400
Patrick's rear rebuild kit $300
Patrick's Saginaw trans conversion $460
Saginaw 4 speed (3.11) $600

About $2k probably when finished.

Is the cost for an open drive line with overdrive about the same?

Not having done this myself I can only guess but I certainly think that a wrecking yard diff, tranny and driveshaft would be a lot less. Your figures make no assumption for labor so I guess it's a DYI?

DIY unless welding comes into play. Bolt on stuff I can do. I must pay for welding to be done.

A '55-'62 1/2 ton center section will bolt into your housing.
That will get you open drive line with 3.90 gears.
A T5 overdrive 5 speed transmission out of an S10 can be used with minor mods. Both of these swaps I believe are in the tech tips section here.
You will also need to have a driveshaft made, or use a junkyard driveshaft if you can find one the right length.

Putting in the 55-62 pumpkin does not solve the open driveline problem. Welding is still required. A possible bolt on deal is to find a 55 first series truck and use that housing with the 55 first springs. you will have a choice of several transmissions to fit the open drive.

On my 59 gmc, I just changed the rearend. The cost was more than I would care to post. Not being able to weld myself set the price through the roof.

So a few of donors are available cheap. 57 and 55 2nd. Quick recap of welding involved?