The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rear end choices

I've been closely following all the threads about rear end swaps since I've reached that point in my project as well. I finally got the bed off of my '52 1/2 ton to do some work and I'm ready to pull out the old torque tube rear end. I carefully measured the width of the rear and found it to be 62" from wheel mounting surface (WMS) to wheel mounting surface.

You can see more about the project here .

I've got two possible donor rears sitting on the side of the house. So here's the question: Which of the following two rear ends would you put in?

Option 1 is a **** 9", 3.25 ratio out of an early 70's car. It's 65" wide, complete, and has huge drum brakes on it but was originally set up for coil springs and needs some repair.

Option 2 is a 3.08 10 bolt out of a '69 camaro. Overall it's 60" wide WMS to WMS. The spring perches on it look like they may straddle the factory leaf springs well but I would have to round up all the brake parts.

My main concern is the width: Looking at the current setup it seems like if I go with the 60" (camaro) rear I could use spacers or run some wide offet rims to make up the difference but I think I might have to relocate the shock mounts. On the other hand, would the **** 9" need negative offset rims to fit in the fenders?

The right answer, of course, is to find a rear the right width but the budget of this project is pretty low right now. I'm keeping my eye out for another axle but both of the ones I have now were given to me for free.

I'm planning on using this truck as a daily driver for home projects, work transportation, and hauling motorcycles. It'll have a 235 and SM 420 for now; maybe a 350/350 in the future. Oh, and I still have the original front suspension so I know that the bolt pattern of both of these choices won't match the front, but that's OK by me.

So what else should I be thinking about? I'd love to hear everyone's input.

Thanks!

You should think about those gear ratios being too high for your tranny.

I went with a 79 Camaro rear, beleive it was a 3:42? Notched frame with a plumb bob and string to get it set in the same location as the torque tube rear. Don't know what happened but the rear is looking too far forward in the fender wheel opening.
I have 16x8 rims that will work but in retrospect I would have tubbed the bed sides slightly as it is mighty tight.
I will move rear back about 1" which should do wonders with only a possible drive shaft, and lower spring plate change the perch has three holes so I think I can relocate the center bolt there.This should center wheel in fender opening.
[URL=http://community.webshots.com/user/zeker6/URL]]http://community.webshots.com/user/zeker6/URL]

OK I have moved the rear back 1 1/2" you can see thru URL listed above, before and after photos on "Rear Movement"I think it looks better centered Lengthened drive shaft and made new lower spring plates with shock mounts Zeke

AD trucks are supposed to have the wheels about an inch too far forward in the fenderwells.

Zeke,

The truck looks awesome! Thanks for the pictures.
I noticed you moved the shocks inboard of the frame. Any particular reason? Also, I see you relocated the rear shackle mount into the frame. Was that to lower it?

Cletis - I agree with you. Unfortunately, those are the ratios I have to work with right now. One of these two will going in but I'll always be keeping an eye out for something different.

As far as centering the wheels correctly in the fenderwell I think I may try go the route of others here who swapped the springs end to end. Then I'll plan on drilling a number of holes in the new perches - maybe at 1" spacing - to allow me to fine tune the axle location.

Thanks,
Keahi

Yes to get the frame down a little, Inboard for space reasons, I had them more upright, but tilted to make room for the exhaust.
The 1" looks funny with the 16" Torque thruster II's, it wasn't bad with 14", put 15" on and it moved farther forward with 16" it looks really offset. Although it had 16" 6 lug on old setup was higher. It's really the tear drop shaped wheel opening, maybe it'll grow on me.
This started out as a restoration, my son pushed me the modified way, but it'll be cool when done, it's the finishing that really eats time and $$. Vortec 350 EFI, 400TH, AC, PS, MII IFS, better than my daily Blazer. Zeke

i used a 60" nova and spacers . with the 62" you could use 235/70/15 tires without spacers. go to web site rand's ring and pinion and see the effect of different tires heights and gear ratios. there is a number calculator at that site, it is fun to play around with them. my ratio is 2:73 to low but works with the other mods, dual carbs dual exhaust electronic ignition. will change to 3:11 later with t-5 swap. slow as you go, i busted the budget for this year.

I could be wrong but I think the wheels are forward in the rear wheel well is because of the torque tube. When I pulled my tranny I had the truck on stands. I put it back down before I rejoined the torque tube and the tube would not come down and clear the rear of the tranny. When I put it back on stands it did clear. If you scrap the torque tube you can put the wheels in the center methinks!

I could be wrong but I think the wheels are forward in the rear wheel well is because of the torque tube. When I pulled my tranny I had the truck on stands. I put it back down before I rejoined the torque tube and the tube would not come down and clear the rear of the tranny. When I put it back on stands it did clear. If you scrap the torque tube you can put the wheels in the center methinks!

some say it is best to use a truck rear-end instead of a car, dont know if it is true, have an 84 blazer in mine allowing me to keep the 15 inch 6 lugs chrome reverse rims, it has a 2:73 with a 84 s-10 five speed, driven it over a yr and half and no problem, lost a little on launch but not much, at 60 plus only turning about 1500 rpm, I love it,,,,,,,Fred

I happen to have spring perch's from Speedway, think they are Mopar, but it had 3 holes in bottom, moved centerbolt to forward hole, made new lower plates with the shock mount bolt moved. Moved the rear about 1 1/2" rearward which centers it in the fender opening. Waiting on the lengthened drive shaft and will take after pictures to show the difference. Still looking for a bench seat that will fit a little better than the 88-89 full size chevy pickup at 58", it leaves little room at the door, and if I want to cover doors inside later I couldn't, but the riser is just about perfect. Will look at Fall Carlisle next week end 54" would be perfect, I know Dakota is 51" and I think Ranger is about the same, Tea's are a little $$ I was thinking maybe Caprice, but don't know, Zeke

zeker6, theaugust issue of classic trucks has a whole article on seats for classic trucks, measurements and pictures of different ones. hope this helps, not much of a computer person or i would post the article. by the way, i was born in pylesville md. and lived in whiteford & cardiff in the late sixties. it is what i still call home eventho i have been indiana for 47 years. ron

the 1960-68 c10 rearends are 62 1/8" and six lugs.if your near charlotte,nc ive got a 3.73 rearend ill give you.

WE B OLD, my son lives in Pylesville on Ridge Road, the world grows smaller. Beautiful area. Boy PA is getting tough on getting tags on this truck might have to use my Maryland business address instead.Zeke