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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,050 Posts1,055,676 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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#64488 08/18/2006 2:16 AM | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 451 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 451 | Per Steppenwolfs great picture expose on the 55 rear pumpkin swap in his '45' and Rick Rickard's comments on swapping out his TT 3rd member for a '56' pumkin, I too have decided to go this route for an open drive line in my 46. I want to keep the original housing, axels, 6 lug wheels, brakes, etc. I will weld new saddles on, and replace the torque tube 3rd member with an open drive shaft pumpkin.
QUESTION: WHat years are the open rear'ed pumpkins direct swaps? Have the same axel spline numbers, 10 bolt pattern, etc? Going junk yarding tommorrow and woud like the widest range of years possible to increase my chances of purchase. Thanks, Brett | | |
#64489 08/18/2006 4:46 AM | Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 439 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 439 | I swaped a '60 3.90 third member into my '53 rearend. I know that same axle goes up to '62. I'm not sure where it starts, but that shouldn't matter because you want to go as new as possible for a higher gear set. Good Luck. Real easy swap.
The more I think about it, I think they went to a 3.90 gear set in '55.2 I think thats what steppenwood put in his truck aswell. So anywhere from '55.2- '62 should work.
And as I think about it even more, you have to go newer then '55.2 because thats when they put in the open driveline.
I think I think to much...(editx4) | | |
#64490 08/18/2006 1:55 PM | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | All 1955-62 half ton will fit.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | |
#64491 08/19/2006 2:48 AM | Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 439 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 439 | ^ The simple answer. (makes note) | | |
#64492 08/19/2006 4:20 AM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | ok, lets clear up some confusion for ME. I have a 55 (3.90) to put in my 52panel when I get the body off. Are you saying my current axles will also go into the 55 pumpkin without changing anything?? I was "told" I would have to change the rear end splines to fit my 52 axles. I'm about 6 weeks away from this but an answer now would help me sleep better at night. | | |
#64493 08/19/2006 5:33 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 553 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 553 | I have my original 1945 axels going into my 1955 (3.90) pumpkin. It was a easy swap. Even if the axels didn't fit into the '55 pumpkin, you can take the spider gears out of your original pumpkin and put them into the '55 pumpkin. The spider gears come out quit easy and that is what has the splines for the axel. | | |
#64494 08/19/2006 3:20 PM | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | All 1/2 ton axle splines are the same from 1940-62.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | |
#64495 08/20/2006 4:04 AM | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Thank you very much. I understand and it is what I thought. Thanks for taking the time to answer. Now I will sleep better! | | |
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