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| | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 | Does anybody have or know where to get the 5.43 rear gears for a 41-55 1.5 ton? I want to replace the 6.17s in my 41 1.5 ton to get closer to highway speeds. I think the 5.43 was used from 41 to 55, is that correct?
Thanks for the help, Rob | | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 91 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 91 | Check out the parts for sale forum, I saw a set for sale that would fit your truck a while back. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 | 41-56 Chev and 46-55 GMC used that rear end. 6.17 was by far the most popular. Later ones can be made to work by changing side gears. The old ones had 10 splines and the later ones had 27 splines. However the faster gear is harder to find in the newer ones because they engines turned faster and needed the torque. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 8 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 8 | I am interested in this also. Could someone please teach me exactly what to obtain to do the same. I have a 1942 1.5 ton with a 6:17.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 | As I mentioned before, 6.17 was the most popular. All I can suggest is look in old salvage yards, sometimes you can buy an old farm truck for next to nothing and post ads in the parts wanted section. All you need is the third member. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 64 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 64 | Give Vintage Auto Parts a try (vapinc.com). I just got a set (5.43)for a '40 1 1/2 ton rear and changed them out for my '36 truck. They were NOS and go for $375.00 . Quite a bit of work if you've never done it before but it will be worth it for daily driving.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 8 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 8 | Was the ring and pinion a bolt in operation or did the rear end require modification?
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 | Thanks dmart, I saw those gears at vintage auto parts too. Isn't the 41 rear end different than the 1940 though?
Thanks, Rob | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 64 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 64 | Rob,
Yes, they very well could be different in '41. I don't know without doing some research. I was hoping that VAP also had some listed for '41. But I guess not if you have checked. I will do some looking around and see what I can find out on this.
David | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 64 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 64 | TC,
It is a bolt in operation. Without knowing it, I lucked out with finding a '40 rear end. The last year for torque tube AND the ring gear is bolted in not riveted. Changing the ring and pinion has quite a few challenges that take some time, patience, and persistence. I'd be glad to pass along what I learned if you decide to get into it.
David
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