The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 63 Rear End What to do??

This is my 1st post on the site, just let me say Thanks in advance for any help. I have a 63 Chevy shortbed stepside that I am working to make a nice driver out of. I am getting close to needed to do something with the rear end and don't know if I should try to re-gear it or get a different rear end all together. I don't know what the ratio is right now, but it is geared very low. You start out in 2nd with ease. I will be putting a larger engine in the truck also mostly likely a GM 400 my Uncle has. Any input is welcome. I am an extreme Newbie!

Welcome to the bolt.
On your rear end delima it is best to make a plan and ask yourself several questions.
What engine?
What transmission standard or auto with overdrive or not?
Do you want Positraction or not?
What highway speeds are you looking for?
You probably have a 4.11 or a 3.90 gear now, find out which one you have. There is a tag on the pumpkin (middle section) on a lot of these rear ends look for that.
All of this will determine what is the best gear for your application.
Make a plan it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Tom

I,m getting ready to do a similar swap. I got a rear end from a 69 with 3.08 gears. I intend to put it in a 60 panel. It looks like everything will fit except the panhard bar mounting. As soon as my welder friend gets back from vacation I am going to work on it. I put a 5th over trans. from an s-10 in my 55-2 & it works great.

My guess would be 4.11's also, but I did not find the tag. I will look again this weekend. What I want to do is put that 400 in with an auto trans, air, power steering & brakes fora nice daily driver truck. It would be about a 50/50 mix city & interstate, so I would need comforatable speeds up to 70 mph. I would also like to switch to a 5 bolt pattern for the wheels as it seems stuff for 5 bolts are less expensive. If I could find a rear end with disc brakes I would be happy also, but not that important right now. Thanks for the input.

wrenchbender,the perches should be 5" farther apart.63,your rear is probably a 3.73,same as my 64.if thats a chevy 400,you should leave the rear alone and use a 700r4 automatic overdrive trans.

63StepSide welcome to the site. I also have a 63 short stepside, and i have all the modern conveniences you speak of. sure makes this truck a more comfortable ride. im runing a th350 with 2.56? gears from a 79 caprice with 5 lug hubs. also the 305 from the same car. I installed power disc brakes up front 5 lug, power steering, and an underbed gas tank. oh and being in texas the under dash a/c is a must! these trucks are a lot of fun! let me know if i can offer any specific advice/help. i put about 35 miles a day just work and back. the truck rides at 60-65 but 80 just takes a little more pedal.

NC C10 Fan,
I think you may be correct. I did a search on the site and found a note that said if you count the turns on the drive shaft to two full turns on one wheel that would give the ratio. Two full turns gets me about 3 & 3/4 turns on the dirve shaft, so 3.73 looks correct. I like the idea to keep my rear end and get a 700r4, I think that would save me some cash and keep the truck more intact. I will have to decide on the 5 vs 6 bolt pattern also. Any thoughts re: that?

If a six came in the truck it should have a 3.73 if it had a manual trans.if it was a auto it could be a 4.10 you can change the tire size up down to get less are more gear also. if running the 400SB I would leave the rear alone and go with a 700R4 auto overdrive. 64 to 72 rears will fit but they are a inch wider just check clearence with tire if you change. also 71 and 72 will have five lugs and some of the 70 models did also.

Thanks for all the input guys! I am very excited. I will go with a 700R4 and keep the orig. rear end. The truck does have a 6 and manual trans. I also think I will stay with the six bolt pattern and put discs on the front and keep the pads in back. You guys have been a huge help and I really appreciate it.
Now on to the next 1000 questions!