The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts need help please,1949 1.5 ton-rear end gear ratio?

hi, any suggestions on how to determine rear end gear ratio for my 1949 1.5 ton truck? i am a novice and need help. thanks in advance. the question behind the question is,is this rear end street-able for practical real world use?

Totally streetable if you don't mind sticking to sub 50mph. I'll look it up in my manual and post it up in a little bit.
Joe

... well i am no speed demon but
is it practical/possible to consider changing to modern usable gears? thanks for help!!!

You won't find higher gear sets for your original '49 rear, they weren't made.

Your modification options to go faster are;

Install a newer rear that has taller gears.
Install an Aux trans that has Over Drive between your existing trans and rear.
Replace your existing trans with a trans that has OD.

Bear in mind your engine will struggle with talled gears or OD on anything not flat or with any kind of a load.

Mike B

mike and lunchbox, thanks for info. i have a one ton frame, and a dually axle from both from 1996 chevy trucks, i may go ahead and venture toward putting my cab on that frame- just set it up with a sbc and i just picked up a auto trans with o/d (same year era as frame and dually rear)

thanks again!

An AD truck doesn't fit so well on a modern full size truck frame, significant width difference.

Grigg

Grigg
... it may be a little work but it sure will be cool:)

plus it's like your signature line says - "...get a clear notion..." and make it happen.

thanks

Sorry as I read it that's not quite like my signature says... nothing about making it harder on yourself than necessary.

I suggest figuring out what the truck is supposed to do and then make smart choices to get it there. Carefully evaluate all options and choose the best path considering quality of the final product and the amount of work it'll take.

Grigg

Grigg

Obviously you know what you are talking about. i respect your wisdom. i am very new to the stovebolt trucks- i can do a bit of body work and spray a little paint... can i ask you a few questions, not listed in order of importance to the truck. Assuming keeping the 1.5 ton truck on original frame.
1- is there a good option for the front split rims
(so i can get rid of them). say another rim i can get to
match the factory bolt pattern?
2- brakes? are they safe as from factory if rebuilt properly or
is there a better option?
3- the 216 engine- what is the issue about the oiling.oil
pressure? (i dont know enough to even ask the right question
here)
4- i need to run an auto trans- (very bad knees) if the 216 is
good to use can i install an updated auto say an auto with
over drive?
5- or would you suggest a sbc and auto, or a newer straight six
with an auto.
6- and whimpy as it may be, would want A/C at some point so wife
would ride with me occasionally

...as for end use, no thing heavy duty, a general all around truck. nothing a normal guy would try to do with a half ton truck- but these big bolts are so cool! (also will not be a show truck at all- just a nice old truck)

thank you in advance for any help you choose to provide. and thanks for your first post to this question, you gave me a lot to think about and may save me a lot headache.

DD

Sure, here are my opinions,

1- different wheels, first figure out what you have and if they're OK, most are.
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/wheels/

2- Brakes, work great for a stock truck if kept in good order. safety can be increased by adding a dual circuit MC in place of the single circuit original.

3- 216 and early 235's have a low pressure oil system, the rods have dippers to get oil. This system is OK but given how easy a later 235 or 261 swaps it makes sense to do that for the upgrade. In my opinion unless you are doing a complete and original in every detail restoration a 216 is not worth keeping. Basically run one if you have it but don't go looking for one or rebuild one.

4- I don't have any advice on automatic transmissions. But I doubt it's worth it for a 216 and probably not so simple or worth it for a 235 either, I don't know.

5- I suggest a diesel, well I'm OK with either basically stock (235 or 261) or a diesel, I don't care at all to see V8's in these old trucks. That said do what makes you happy

6- I've recently researched AC (as well as several years ago) I think Vintage Air is the best place to go for the kit. I'll be doing that myself in the next several months. http://www.vintageair.com/

keep in mind that the more you change the more you have to change to make the first stuff work out. More power needs better gears to use it, better gears give you more speed, speed needs better brakes, better brakes might need a booster, a (hydro)booster needs a PS pump, a PS pump is good for power steering and so on goes the list. Figure a lot of that out before you start so you'll know what you're getting into or not.

Good luck,
Grigg

Grigg,
Thanks for ur input. I am going to do some research and inspect my truck well- to see exactly what's what.

Can u (or anyone) tell me about the split rims I thought they were never good to keep/use. If this is true- what other rims may have the Same bolt pattern?

Thanks!

DD