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| | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 62 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 62 | Hey all.
Just picked up a 53 1-ton and was wondering what the pros and cons are when it comes to swapping its drive-line and rear end into my 51 1/2 ton project.
My main reason for wanting to do this it to go from the torque tube to the open drive-shaft.
Is this worth considering or is it not advisable? | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Con- Top speed with a 1-ton rear end will be about 45 mph and the engine will be screaming. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 62 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 62 | Con- Top speed with a 1-ton rear end will be about 45 mph and the engine will be screaming. That's a pretty big con. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | Your best bet would be using the 1 ton transmission, shorten the driveshaft and leave the rearend alone. Find a later model 1/2 ton rearend and swap it in. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 452 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 452 | Or just replace the torque tube with the forward shaft/tube from the 1 ton and put a second shaft back to the axle, like the 3/4ton. You still need an open rear, so a new axle or weld the spring pivots and change the center section for a 55 or later one.
If you don't need the new engine or trans, you can make the change at the u-joint ball.
Another way to go open is just put in a T5.
Current fleet (subject to change w/o notice) \'49 GMC 3/4-Ton , 60 Austin Healey Frog-eye Sprite (some assembly required), 2011 Dodge Avenger, 2015 Jeep Cherokee. No, they don't all run. My other ride is a (B737)no, (B767)no, A320.... Update... was Embraer E190, now Boeing B787. Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but ignorance means you don't know you can't do something.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 62 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 62 | Great advice guys, thanks! | | |
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