The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Which is the most bolt-in ready rear end of these?

I'm looking at alternatives to swapping my 54 Chevy 1/2 tons stock rear end to a Nova or Camaro unit. I've been tossing up keeping it stock and finding some 6 lug wheels that actually look good, or having the rear axles welded and redrilled to 5 lug, and then doing a front brake swap (which I'll do anyways) to disc and 5 lug at the same time, so all 4 corners match. Someone on the Jalopy Journal pointed out today that 51-54 cars are 5 lug, direct bolt in, closed driveshaft, and have a 3.55 or so gear so I'd have better highway manners. He said he also thought he had heard at one time a tri-5 rearend is bolt in, has 5 lug, but is open driveshaft. I don't mind swapping a rear, or even having to get another driveshaft if I go to an open setup...however I'm trying to stay away from swapping to a later model axle due to the fact I have zero tools or skills to cut/weld spring perches, or relocate them. Wouldn't have the slightest chance to really get it lined up and centered in the fender wells either, so that's why I'm looking for the most absolute bolt in and ride option.

According to the manuals, the '49-'54 Passenger and '47-'54 Truck axles use the same mounting system, and the U-joint/torque tube mountng is the same as well. Gearing on the Passenger axles will vary sepending on year and transmission. manual trans '49-'52 is 4.10, just like the Truck, '53/'54 uses 3.70 with manual. The '51-'54 Powerglide cars had the 3.55. The may be an issue with length, as the Passenger wheelbase is 115" vs the 116" of the Truck. Thsi may cause the rear wheels (which are already 2" forward of center) to be moved up an inch. This might cause problems with the axle mounts as well.
Unless you're dead set on 5 lug, the easiest way would be to stick with the stock axle, install a set of 3.55 gears from Patrick's for better highway driving, and use the 6 lug version of the front disk conversion.

What are your transmission plans?

For a fact, torque tube rear end out of the cars won't work in an AD truck. The car axle is not as wide, and the tube is shorter.

That's what I was thinking. I know that you can swap them in the passenger cars, say a manual trans for a 'Glide (been there, done that), but didn't thing they would swap with the truck.

Matt, there is no eazy way around it. 3.55 gears are available for your rear from Patrick Dykes. 12 inch 6 lug disc brakes are available for the front. If you want better speed and stopping power without cutting or welding, this is your only option.

However if you can have somebody put a rear in for you and weld, you will have many more choices. We can't really help you out without knowing how you plan to drive the truck and which engine you will be using.