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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 | I have a 1949 Chevy 3100 AD. It is all stock, but i wanted to change the Rear axle to make it go faster, just wondering what axle would fit in there and make it go a little faster, or if it would be better to get a whole new frame. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Any rear axle change would also require changing the transmission and driveshaft as well, as the torque tube driveline would have to be eliminated. That said, late '70s-mid '80s GM F body (Camaro/Firebird) rearends seem to be a popular swap. Other alternatives include S10, or swapping the rearend center cection with the '55-'62 1/2 ton, which keeps the existng housing. There is also a 3.55 gearset available for the stock rear, which would also keep the stock drivetrain.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,254 | How about swapping the center section with a 55-66 1/2 ton and puting in the Patrick's 3:38 gears?
Or is the a center section from the 55-66 1/2 ton that has the 3:38 gears?
That would be nice
Dennis
-there is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer-
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 | Where is the 3:55 Gearset for the stock rearend available at, and how much is it, and how fast will the truck go after i put that in. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Patrick's has them. They're around $450 for the gearset. You should be able to run at legal highway speeds without issue.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 | Would a 1968 Pontiac Firebird Rearend fit in the 1949 Chevy 3100, just wondering cus i know where i can find one of them very easily | | | | | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 9 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 9 | check this link, very helpfull for axle Swaps http://www.quickperformance.com/Technical%20Info/sus_measure.htm 47-55 chevy truck flange to flange measurments 60-62" a good swap would be 68-72 nova (i just bought a 68 nova rearend of craigslist for $70) other good donars include 76-80 camaro/firebird. 68-95 vette s10, and g-body cars will work with offset wheels being that their 2" shorter then the stock rearend. hope this helps, im no shop shark but been doing alot of research, since im doing the same for my 49 3600. good luck!!!
1949 chevy 3600
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 | Would a S10 4X4 Rearend Work on the truck
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Many people have used a K5 Blazer rear end. It is 6 lug.
I had a link to a military surplus one for a reasonable price but can't find the link. Did any of you other guys save that link?
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 874 | Military surplus link. Wish they had them with a 3.42 or so ratio. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | That's the one, Steve. Thanks. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Mar 2012 Posts: 37 | I found a 1972 Nova rearend for it, is it easy for a person to put it under the truck, i do have a welder | | |
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