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#69414 11/30/2006 9:30 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | Has anybody ever put a chevy car torque tube rear in an AD 3100?
I have available to me an original rear from a '50 chevy 2 door fastback. It's a 3 speed manual, so I believe the ratio would be 3.73. too bad it wasn't a powerglide car, I think those are 3.55.
I haven't had a chance to measure anything, but was wondering if anyone has done this and how feasible it is. I will hang on to this piece for a future project if it is worth swapping into a pickup. | | |
#69415 11/30/2006 10:20 PM | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,867 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,867 | I may be wrong, but I believe Ive heard of people swapping the rear ends from a car into a truck to get a higher driving speed. Someone will step in shortly and correct me or agree. Good luck! | | |
#69416 11/30/2006 10:45 PM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | That's the whole idea....  | | |
#69417 11/30/2006 11:14 PM | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | I don't think it'll work. The passenger car had a shorter wheelbase, do the tube will be too short to align properly. Also, the stick shift passenger cars had 4.11 gears, so there's no advantage there unless you can find a 'Glide unit, though that probably won't bolt up the the truck trans. The passenger rear also has smaller axle shafts and brakes.
If you want a higher gear, going to an open drive would be the best overall option.
Bill Burmeister
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#69418 11/30/2006 11:19 PM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,820 | The swap you are speaking of will net you about 5 mph more speed. On the other hand, a Power Glide rear end will give you 10 mph more speed. Other things to consider: the car axle will be a 5 bolt axle and your truck now has 6 lugs. I did this swap with a Power Glide rear end in 1983 on my 37 and it does make a differnce (I now have a T-5 and open drive line). Now, however, the easier choice for you, in my opinion, is a set of 3:55 to 1 gears for your rear end. Then, there are no other issues to contend with. Joe 
"Truckin' Around .......... Since 1937!" My name is Joe and I am addicted to Classic Country Music. I just can't hep myself.Operators are standing by to take your calls! Now cruising in the Passing Lane | | |
#69419 12/01/2006 3:20 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | Thanks for the input...I'll pass it up then.
I figured if it was close to being a bolt up I would get the rear...it was free. I don't even have a 3100 to put it in right now, I just seem to be thinking about three projects ahead all the time and like to accumulate parts. | | |
#69420 12/01/2006 4:17 PM | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,378 | I don't know about a 50 model but my 38 Master has the 3.73. The Master Deluxe had the 4.11. I believe you can buy rear end gear sets that will give you a 3.55 ratio.
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