Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,156 Posts1,057,019 Members48,460 | | Most Online14,466
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!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 104 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 104 | I drove my '52 28 miles home from storage a couple weeks ago and already know I want a higher gear ratio than the 6.13. I got it all the way up to 48 mph and the engine sounded like it was ready to come apart. I would like to get into a newer axle with standard 10 bolt budd wheels and hydraulic brakes. A ratio in the high 4's to low 5's would be good. Has anyone done this swap to recommend an axle that will match the spring width ?
1952 Chevrolet 6400 flat bed
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 242 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 242 | How about a overdirve trans or a auxilary overdrive trans???? 1-262-392-2989 or [email protected]Marv. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 104 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 104 | I did read about some people swapping in a newer 5 speed overdrive trans but that doesn't get me away from the hard to find wheels and tires.
That could still be an option, depending on what I find for gear ratios in a newer axle.
1952 Chevrolet 6400 flat bed
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | There are previous comments in this subject; D 70 and 80 rear axles come w/ that bolt pattern(10 on 7.25), up to 3.56 and even 3.3 ratios w/ disc brakes. The hub is slightly larger, bore out wheels and cover plates if you have them, can use your 20" wheels; or can use 19.5" wheels(common), look too small on the truck though, or 22.5(hard to find) from '50's farm trucks.
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 104 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 104 | I'm looking for expereince with something from the 80's, like an IH axle with ball seat wheels. Would like to get away from the hard to find wheels and tires.
1952 Chevrolet 6400 flat bed
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | | | | | | Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,740 24601 | | 24601 Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,740 | Wow, Grigg -- What a cool truck!
~ John A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult. 1949 Chevrolet 3804In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum1973 IH 1310 Dump1963 Kaiser M38A12001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie"2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley) | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,276 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,276 | John you have watched Grigg enough to know if it's not cool when he gets it he will make it cool LOL  | | |
|
|
