The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Upgrade Rear end (Do these make my butt look big?)

I'm getting set to swap out the dead 235 for a 350...in my 1950 3100 Chevy truck. I have access to all I need (junkyard), just have to get my info right. I know I will need a newer rear end. I'm looking to keep the original wheels on the truck (6 lug 16"). Trying to make a sleeper (looks original but modern guts). I want to cruise down the highway at about 10 over (80 mph). What rear end should I put back there? Oh yeah, I measured the original rear end at 56" inside to inside. Is that right. I want to make sure the new set up doesn't make my butt look too big HAHAHA

I have a GM 12 bolt out of a 71 Chevelle. I'm running a 400 small block with a TH350 tranny Here is a link to a thread that may help you out some. http://talk.classicparts.com/showthread.php?t=550

Measuring the rear from wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface is a much better measurement. Your rear should be about 62 inches wide wms to wms. Measure for yourself. 12 bolt 4wd rear ends work reasonably well. There are many many rearends you can use.

Some things yo will need to consider will be tire size, gear ratio, and transmission. 80 mph in a 50 is doable, but scary with the stock brakes and suspension. if you plan to go that fast you will need to upgrade your brakes and tighten up the steering.

I measured a 2000 jeep grand cherokee and the rear ends are nearly identical.It has the disc breaks already. the cherokee does not use leafs, it had coils on it no biggie.Im in the process of converting it as we speak, worked on it tonight !!

Then we will assume your going to upgrade the fron t to disc brakes as well. I don't think the jeep rear is 6 lug is it? The front conversion kits are most likely to be 5 lug anyway.

I have a 79 nova rear end and it has a 2.73 gear ratio. almost bolt in. with the 235 and a T5 tranny i can run all day at 70 and still get 18-20 mpg. could do 80 but the ride deteriorates and rides hard.

I used an '85 Firebird rear in my '50.

3.27:1 ratio,posi diff and discs.
It fits a treat and I have 8" wide wheels 4 3/4 backspace. pic.

If I read his request correctly he wants to keep his SIX lug wheels. The Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon have the six bolt pattern and are close in width wise but I don't know if they are disc or drum. Most of the Jap trucks except Toyota 2wd are six lug and some with auto trans have at least a 2.73 and maybe shallower rear. Spacers probably required. The S10 4wd rear is what the S10 frame swap kits recommend for a 47-54 but on a 52 we did that kept they wanted to keep the six bolt pattern we still used long lug bolts and a 1" spacer to give a better tire to bed clearence. Google "six lug rear end dimensions" and see what comes up. If you're in a junkyard, can count to six, and own a tape measure you're two steps up on the ones of us posting answers.

lol

The Colorado/Canyon has drum brakes on the rear. I measured one a while back, IIRC, it came out to about 63" measured from outside to outside.

I swapped a Dana 60 rear end out of an 87 Dodge 2500 into my '59 Apache 3600. Although my truck is an 8 lug, I learned that Dodge vans are generally the closest fit, and I'm pretty sure that the lighter duty vans came with 6 lug axles. Worth a look.

Chris

Guess I should've read the post properly.....

I'll get my jacket......