The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop know the gearing on a '69 1/2 ton rear end?

my buddy just picked up what he was told was a '69 half ton rear end for his truck. (his truck is a '53 1/2 ton with 350 and 4 speed manual tranny from a '74 1/2ton)

apparently it was basically given to him for free. but we cant seem to nail down what the gear ratio is, the net has conflicting/confusing info. didnt find any sort of part number either. and dont have the truck it came off of for reference.

he's worried about the 3.7 being too low for highway driving and is hesitant to install. anybody know what that ratio was if it is from a '69 half ton?

if it is a 3.7, is that too low? i remember doing freeway 70mph or so in a '68 half ton with my uncle when i was a kid so it cant be that bad right?

The code will be stamped on one of the axle tube, couls be either side, on the bottom adjacent to the carrier housing. It'll either have 3.07, 3.73, or 4.11. If it's a 3.73, it may not be too bad depending on what tire size that's going to be run. If he's not totally committed to the 4 speed, perhaps a T5 might be a better option. That'll get an overdrive gear for highway use.

hey Kidd, Why don't you just raise the rear end off the floor and turn the drive shaft one complete turn and count how many times the axle turns?

a 3.73 with really tall tires will work.go to www.randysringandpinion.com .they have a calculater to estimate rpms.