The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Will a tri-5 pass rear end work in a 1/2 AD truck?

Hello!

Planning a T5/open rear swap on my '53 3100. I have a 3:73 open rear from a '56 Chevy wagon from a previous project. I took a quick backing plate to backing plate measurement, and it was within 1". The ratio seems like it would be PERFECT mated with a T5 on a 1/2 ton truck.

I don't plan on doing any hard core hauling with the truck...it's more of a cruiser.

Has anyone else done this swap? Any watch outs, or reasons I should NOT use it?

I didn't measure that axle tube diameter, but that shouldn't be a major hurdle.

Thoughts? Comments?

Thanks...

Chris

Denny -

Thanks for the reply. I want to replace the SM420 with a T5 as well, so I will have to lose the torque tube as well.

Chris

The 3rd member will not swap. The Passenger 3rd member is smaller and more of a flattened oval shape. For a swap, you would need a '55-'62 Truck 3rd member, which will fit no issues.
As far as using the Passenger rear complete, there's no reason it won't work any different than any other passenger car rear. The brakes are smaller than the truck brakes, but that's the only real issue. Positraction 3rd members are very common for that rear, if you were to consider one.

Bill -

Thanks for the response. Do you know what ratios are available for the '55 - '62 rears? I'd really like something in the 3.73 range to work with the OD tranny.

Chris

The standard ratio is 3.90, with a 3.38 (Hydramatic) and 4.10 (usually w/overdrive) as options. The 3.90 is the most common, and the 3.38 is the olny gear available as anew replcaement. The 3.90 will work perfect with the overdrive. You will need to weld up the axle pivots, but otherwise, it's a drop in.