The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks rear end gears for 61 Chev...what works?

Hi guys,

Ok, so I've decided that I want to keep the 283 and 4 speed, but I want to change the rear end gears for something that'll get me lower engine rpms on the highway. The rear end in it right now is not a Dana 44, it is the one with the round cover, and has 3:90 ratio...in other words, it's the stock 1961 Chev rear. Is there taller gear sets available that will work in the existing rear end? Or will I need to look for a Dana 44 from a GMC and change out the whole axle, as someone has suggested? I'd like to hear from those who have dealt with this issue themselves...I don't know what's really out there that will work. Was kinda hoping to just change the gears, not the whole axle.

consider a borg warner 5 speed trans easy install works great larry

That's the T5, right? Commonly found in an S10? Have had lots of people recommend that, but I've also heard somewhere that the splines don't line up. I could be wrong.

There is a 3.38 gear available.

With a little additional information we can point you in the right direction. Specifically what diameter rear tire are you running? Makes all the difference in the world when you want to pick the correct rear gear ratio.

Check out this link.... http://www.sierrabronco.com/TireGearRatio.htm

And for more information on 5-speeds check out this thread https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...=Hot+Rod+John&Search=true#Post590464

Hope this helps,

John

John, I'm running on 235/75R15s. The 3:38 gear that's available that someone posted on here is awfully expensive compared to what can be had from LMC...but unfortunately LMC has nothing for my truck's rear end...which I'm confused about. Doesn't my truck have the standard rear end for most Chevy trucks of that era? It's the stock 3:90 gear with the perfectly round 10 bolt cover.
I've come to some conclusions. Based on the info I've received, my options are these...

1. Have the pinion and seal replaced on the existing rear end, and just live with the low gears. The truck does about 55 to 60 miles an hour somewhat comfortably, but can be pushed to go faster.

2. Install a rear end from something else, with some taller gears. From what I understand as of now, the only one that will bolt in is the Dana 44 from a 60 - 62 GMC...(good luck to me for finding one!) Anything else I'm assuming will involve welding/custom fab work.

3. Find and install a T5. I hear they go in easily, but I still have a few unanswered questions. will the bellhousing from the 4 speed work? Will the splines on the T5 line up with those on my driveshaft?

4. Install automatic trans. Not interested in this idea really at all, because driving a stick is much too fun!

add #5 Adam, find a 3 speed OD, 56-70 something, takes a finer spline yoke, but that's a 10 minute fix, and if going from the 4 speed needs a longer driveshaft, that could come from the same donor truck - check with Scotts Super Trucks, if he doesn't have anything he might give you a lead

Bill

Find a 3.08:1 gear from a 70-72 c10. The one I had was behind a 350/auto set-up,
Scott

Scott, will that bolt into a 61? And are those 6 lug?

'63-'70 should be a bolt in, with only a couple of minor bracket differences (panhard rod) and will be 6 lug. Aftermarket ratio are readily available for that rearend.

If you have the DANA 44 I changed my OEM unit which was 3.92 and put in a 3.23 from Precision Gear. I kept the carrier and changed out the Ring and pinion as well as ALL the bearings, including the wheel bearings while it was apart only $9.00 more.

Part number 44D/323


http://www.precisiongear.com/