The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop open driveline rear ends for 53 1/2ton

I recently bought a 53 half ton as a non-running project. I also bought what I was told was a 62 235 with a 3 spd overdrive trans. Turns out its a 261 with a 3 spd overdrive. I'm planning to swap the 261 into the 53 but am concerned the existing torque tube driveline will not be the correct length. I've never dealt with a closed driveline before and am thinking I may have to go to an open drive line and a different rear end. I'd like to stay with at least 3.70 rear end ratio since I have the overdrive to lower rpm at highway speeds. What is the proven way to do the swap and do I need to convert to an open drive line and a different rear end and if so which rear end, if any, is a bolt up without too many modifications. Thanks in advance for helping out a newbie.
jerry

If you can find a Task Force truck, the center section will bolt right into the 53's axle/carrier. It will give you an open drive and a 3.90 rear end ratio.
This way there is no worry about relocating the axle and solving e-brake problems. You would have to do some welding where the axle mounts to the leaf spring as there is a pivot point there to make up for the rear u-joint that was not needed in the closed drive. You have to weld the axle.
One of the Forum members made the switch and has a bunch of excellent step-by-step pictures.

Task Force years are 55 thru 59?

I would appreciate a link to the forum member who made the switch and has shared the step-by-step in pictures. Thanks for your advice regarding the rear end change. It sounds pretty straightforward.

Some nomenclature I'm not familiar with: When you say center section I assume you mean the cast housing that holds the rear end gears? and when you talk about welding the axle I assume you are talking about welding the axle housing. What does one do about the driveshaft? Use a task force driveshaft? From the looks of my 3 spd/overdrive transmission it is a splined output that will take a short piece with the front section of the U-joint. Maybe all these questions are answered in the members pics and descriptions. Guess I should get familiar with the site and see if there are links to how-tos.

jbinwa, I have not actually did it yet but I do have my 55 "pumpkin" to go in my 52 Panel. The pumpkin, or third member, as we call them is to replace the section that comes out with the torque tube. I also have a drive shaft out of a 55 pickup that I will be using to hook up my V8. I understand my axles will work but there is some question as to whether I have to change the spider gears that the axles go into when sliding the axles back in. I "think" some said I would not even have to change the spider gears...which is no big deal as the little suckers just "roll out and in". Let us know how it comes out if you get yours going first!! It will be a month or so before I make the switch...after I get the body off my chassis.

Hey JB welcome to the Stovebolt. I drive past Woodland frequently. I had family stuff in Portland last weekend, next weekend I plan to attend the swap meet in Canby and will drive right past you to get there. Then both the following weekends I'm headed past.

Task Force trucks are the second '55 and on through '59 Chevrolets. GMC's were called Blue Chip I think.

A '62 transmission is going to require an open driveline, and the modifications to change it to support a closed driveline would not be worth the trouble.

I would suggest dealing with the axle mounting first. The torque-tube type axle pivots at the springs and on a closed driveline you need to have it firmly mounted to the springs. One common approach is to replace the torque tube differential with one from a TF that will work in your axle housing, but was designed for open driveline. Then simply weld the pivots solid to hold the axle in place.

If it were mine I'd swap the entire TF axle assembly instead of welding the brackets, but its your choice.

I don't know if a TF driveshaft is the correct length or not. Any competent machine shop can make a driveshaft to fit, though there are shops that specialize in it. I can name one in the Seattle area but I'm sure a Vancouver or Portland shop would be better for you.

I don't know which member already did this, but learn to use the search function and while you are digging through stuff that isn't quite what you wanted you'll also find lots of useful stuff.

Thanks, your post clears things up a bit. I'm probably more than a month away as I work on a budget on car stuff (keeps a happy marriage)and my 36 Chev project is top priority or at least its supposed to be. The pickup is new to me so its getting my attention just now. I want to get it on its feet and running with the 261 and 3 spd/overdrive. and then figure out how far to take it.

My first car was a '36 Chevy! I sold it 30-some years ago and recently found it for sale on eBay. The seller turned out to be someone I used to know, and he had bought it from the guy I sold it to.

This is me standing next to it a few months ago.
[img]http://www.oldsub.com/images/2006/04/ColoradoTrip/100_0196sm.JPG[/img]

I'd love to stop and see your projects sometime. Are you close to I-5?

Keeping the wife happy is important. I'm building a truck for mine that she remains excited about. That helps quite a bit.

I'm retired so am home quite a bit --except Wed. which is coffee and parts hunting day. Am sending address and cell ph. off site. You and others from the forum are welcome anytime cept Wed. I'm about 4 mi. east of Woodland off Hwy 503. Its about an 7 minute run from I-5 (exit 21) to our little acreage.

Another option is the rear-end from a '55 first series. If you can get the springs, housing and all, it's a bolt in. No trying to weld cast iron.

Since I own two of them you'd think I'd have thought of that...

Jerry I know just where you are, and will plan to stop Saturday or Sunday.

The member who did the rear end swap and provided the photos goes under the name of 'steppenwood'. I don't have more than that but am certain he can be found thru the Forums.
Hey old sub, that must have been a might big bird that dropped on top of that Chevy you are standing beside!

He said he was just tossing paint on it to protect it from rust. It sat outside through Idaho winters for years, and far as I know its still sitting just where that picture was taken.

I figured that.....!