The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Art Deco Rearend Measurments

I am moving in the direction of installing a T-5 trannie into my 1946 1/2 ton chassis and thanks to this forum have a good understanding of what to look for. Unfamiliar territory for me is the rearend. I am curious on where to pull the measurements from when looking for a compatable rearend. Is it brake plate to brake plate or ??? Any suggestions on what vehicles & years have sucessfuly been transplanted onto their Art Deco trucks. Thanks!!

Metricnut,

Some rearends that have been used with success in our trucks;

S-10 Automatic 4X4 rear axle..the 4x2 is too narrow

70-81 Camaro, Nova

An newer S-10 Blazer rearend may also be found with discs as well.

There are a bunch more too, but those are the ones I read the most about.

One I am looking at is Trailblazer rear end with discs. This time of year, they come pretty cheap around here.

All will require new spring pads.

As far as measurements, brake plate to brake plate is good, but a straight edge on the drum or disc is another measurement I would take too.

Met-To make it real simple, you can keep the same rearend housing and axles if you just exchange the pumpkin. Get one from a '55 chevy half ton pickup. It's a bolt in setup and very little welding. You can look at my Rear End Swap file and also Brett Dodson\'s Rear End Swap file. We both did the same exact T-5 and rearend swap.

Steppenwood...what does a 5 speed run you out on the west coast? I am putting the 55 rear end in my panel but was planning on using a good 350 turbo as a tranny that I have laying in the shop. Will the 5 speed help the rpm range on the open road vs the turbo 350?? (Metricnut, I'm not trying to hijack your thread pal) Just curious.

My 46 has had the following rear ends, 46 passenger with 3:55 gears, 57 half ton and now 65 pickup with 3:08s. Best move of all was swapping in the T-5 trans, life is sweet! Read Steppenwoods stuff!!!!

Achipmunk-My 5th gear is .76:1 and my rearend is a 3.90:1, so you can do the math for rpm's on the open road. I put a want ad for a T-5 on craigslist and someone responded with one for 100.00

metricnut,

I think a better measurement is from wheel mount surface to wheel mount surface. I got a custom made ford 9 inch rear for my 1940 that was 61 inches wheel mount to wheel mount. That should center the wheels up under the fenders if I use a wheel 7 inch wide wheel with 4 inches of backspacing. By using the ford 9 inch floater axle I was able to keep my 6 lug pattern, and get 12 inch disc brakes, All brand new. I paid a premium for this axle, but it was still cheaper than going to the local yards, measuring axles till I found the right one, and rebuilding everything. A lot cleaner too!!!

I hope to be putting that axle under my 1940 soon as well as the new NV4500 transmission and the rebuilt 302 jimmy engine. I'm just gathering a few more parts to make the installation as smooth and painless as possible.

Good Luck
John

Thanks All. You really have me scratchen my back side now. Options are good.

the 63-70? c10 rear is 62 1/8"wide according to my records.