The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Rear end upgrade

My restored '53 Chev 3/4 ton gets just about to 55 going downhill. Has anyone ever come up with an upgrade to the rear end to get rid of granny and allow for some decent speed? 1/2-ton upgrades are easy to find. But haven't found anything satisfactory for a 3/4-ton. Haven't been around the Stovebolt site much for a few years. Finished my '72 GMC and got it back from the paint shop. Am retiring in about 45 days and need to get back to the '53, so will posting a few questions.

Rear ends are hard to find, but if you do a search here, you will find several topics that will help. First, identify your rear end and post pictures of the cover to have people help you. Good luck!

Swapping transmissions to an OD transmission can help. Finding the elussive 4.11 gears for the factory rear can also help. Many have swapped transmissions, rears, and tires.

If you are still running a 216... start by finding a 235 or 261.

Rick

To convert a 3/4 ton setup to break the speed of smell some folks use S10 rear ends. Do a good search and you will find what works. I've only swapped 1/2 ton stuff so I'm not much help here.

I swapped my torque tube setup for open drive because my 46 1/2 ton wouldnt go over 40 with the pedal on the floor, I swapped my old 3 spd.to the t-5 from an 88 s-10 and the s-10 rear with the 342 gears and my truck cruises at 65 now,