The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1949 2ton rear end

Hi, newbie here.
Been workin' on a 49 2ton flatbed utility.
Don't have a vin. But the equip leads me to believe she is somewhere between 5000-6000.
Two speed rear end. I am ok with. But not till I sealed up all vac leaks and new tubing for the diaphragm in the shifter. Did I realize my top speed is only approx. 48 mph! I wamnt to use this as a worker. Been wrkn on her for 8 mos. now and she runs good. Just not as fast as I need her to go.
Basically I would like to know if there is anyone who would like this rear and swap me for a highway, or road runner?
Or, what are my options? sell it ?

Hy chebbydog, welcome, you have to remember that when those trucks were on the road and new 50 m.p.h. was probably the highway speed. You have many options to increase speed, taller rear tires, a rear end swap using a lower (numerically) rear end ratio (higher top speed), installing an auxiliary (brownie) transmission between the existing transmission and rear axle, or installing a transmission with overdrive as the top gear, if you search these different options you will find a lot of information. Keep in mind these trucks in stock condition were never engineered to travel at todays freeway speeds, brake upgrades would also be a smart idea, hope that helps.

We delivered gasoline with bob tails similar to yours in the 50's. Only they were GMC. They will run 60 all day long at full throttle. You just have to get used to the noise, get used to fighting to stay on the road in a wind and give yourself enough stopping distance.

Assuming by your name, it is a Chevy? What engine is in it? Ken is right that some of the GMC engines could run at 60mph fine, but I don't think a Chevy engine will. A 235 just doesn't have enough power to push a heavy truck at those speeds very well.

Jeff

Gearing up for higher speed will be a waste of time because the engine won't have enough torque to pull the higher gear, particularly with a load on the truck. Either get used to running slow, or buy another, newer truck. One option might be to find a 261 engine and replace the old splash-oiler 235 that it's probably running now. I'd definitely keep the 2-speed rear end and find the tallest tires that will fit the wheels for a little more top end speed.
Jerry

thanks shop shark. Thought of just about all you mentioned. Already running 20's all around in tires. Original split-rims. Two new tires cost me nearly 600. Just checked out my lines to my rear diaphragm. Found i was stuck in the low gear. For some reason switch wasn't working right. I switched the lines and am noe in the High gear. Am getting enough speed now to blow the hood up

Thank you. Know what you are talking about. Big hunk a metal runnin' almost out of control at 50 is enough!! I need a new kingpin for nfront left. She dances a little bit

Thganks for tghe reply.
1949 chevy 5000-6000 2 ton
11 spring in rear w/7spring booster above
1962 235 w/less than 1,00 on it
20" split rims all around
4-speed tran
2-speed rear end
huge brakes in rear w/two cylinders each
flatbed 8'x12'
hydro-vac brake system
She stops on a dime!!

Thanks Jerry. You are absolutely right. Because even though it has a newer 235 (1962)
The power is still suspect for tghe size of her. I don't mind the fact thsat I will be passed by everyone. Gives them a chance to see her. i just don't want to be the cause of an accident. Heaven forbid. I want to use her to work on things for people arnd town. Which means I have to load her up with y tool. (many) And I absolutelyb love to drive her!

Hope this link works If not, I will get some pics to y'all.
This is where she sat when I grabbed her.

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad272/ceezd/51chev-2.jpg

Also folks I'm in need of some replacement parts for the "handbrake" on my truck.
It is unique in the fact that it works like a brake shoe on the "propeller" I have the through the floor shaft. And my gear-box has all the shafts and stubb-outs for nthe linkage. I found the brake laying in the ground half-buried, when I towed her hoime.
But I need the linkage and the "shoe" itself that clamps on the propeller to freeze the driveline. Pretty awesome set-up. Which is why I want to get iut working. Any help is greatly apprerciated !

That brake isn't particularly unique- - - -lots of the SM-420 transmissions used them, including the 59 3800 model 1-ton I owned a few years ago. It shouldn't be difficult to find the missing parts.

However- - - -there's another issue you need to be aware of. The wheels on your truck are the Firestone RH-5's, the infamous "widowmakers" that have been implicated in dozens of injuries and deaths from exploding wheels. They're even illegal to run in some places. The problem is that the rims split in the middle, and it only takes a slight amount of rust damage or other deterioration to make them very unreliable and possibly deadly.
Jerry

Split in the middle like this
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2903721360080251109pPFWcO
You should look for replacement 2 or 3 piece 20" wheels.

Grigg

I know a guy about 40-miles from here,that has 2,1954,and a'48,or'9,Chevy 2-tons. The earlier one doesn't have a front clip,but it has what seems to be a 270,or 302 G.M.C. installed. Engine seems to have been either freshly rebuilt,or new,judging from the quality of the paint,compared to the rest of the truck. Engine turns-over(I grabbed the belt,and turned the fan. Engine-swap wasn't done properly,though.The radiator-support was hacked,instead of purchasing a shorter water-pump. Maybe wasn't available at time of swap??

If the 235 is just rebuilt, stay with it for a while, when looking for more power, a 261 will bolt right in; GMC mounted the radiator in front of the radiator support vs. Chevy mounted to the rear, therefore if going w/ 270 or 302, must move radiator, watch for grille clearance or look for GMC front tin.

Various comments here about front disc brakes, etc., on your front axle.