The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Granny Gear 1953 3600 - Changed for better Ratio?

I found an awesome truck for sale today that I am considering - engine and tranny have been overhauled and everything is stock and NICE - price is very good ... but I do not like the low gearing and was wondering if the gearing can be changed to make it drive 65 - 70 mph? The one I am considering is a 53 chevy 3600 with 216 ... and the granny gear ... I also have a 1955 MG TF 1500 and one of the things I have put up with for 40 years with her is the same issue of about getting run over on the highway because of the low gear ratio ... Advice?

Not many options to improve the rear end gearing on the 3600 and 3800, you either have to change out the entire rear axle assembly for a later model rear, or try to find the increasingly rare (and very desireable) 4.10 ratio 3rd member from the '68-'72 C20. There is one other option as well, changing out the transmission for one that has an overdrive final ratio.

Remember your final drive ratio is going to be 1:1

What others have done:

Find a 4:10 gear set for the rear or smaller
Taller tires
Aux. Brownie Transmission.
S10 5spd. tranny swap

Thank you guys SO much for the replies and suggestions - very helpful.

Sounds like it might be expensive and possibly difficult parts to find Besides - this truck is so nice and original - I hate to change it out ...guess I am a purist at heart. Put up with the low gearing of my 1955 MG for 40 years now - just stayed away from major highways as 55 mph is over 4,000 RPM in her.

I hate to pass up such a great truck just because of this ... do all of the early - mid 50's Chevy trucks have the granny gearing?

There was basically one truck 3-speed and one truck 4-speed during the enclosed drive-shaft 50s years (1950-1954). All had a 1:1 ratio high gear. The SM420 four speed had a "sub low" "granny gear".

Later in the 50s (late 1955 onwards, I think) a 3-speed with overdrive was available from the factory, at least on the 1/2 tons.

Swapping to a later model 14 bolt is not that much trouble, one of the cheapest methods of getting faster gears for a 3/4 or 1 ton.
If you want and like the truck the gearing can be solved, don't give up to easily.

Grigg

hey congrats on getting the 3/4 ton. I also was lucky enough to get a 3/4 ton last year and the guys here have been a great help! the 3/4 ton is a heavier truck, the springs are heavier and it weighs about 500lbs more. I changed out the 15 inch wheels and tires for 16 inch radials and calculated that this was about the same as switching to a 3.91 rear end (there is a calculation that can be made seen on this website that allows you to calculate this.) even so mine is most happy at 50 to 55mph

Believe me Jeanie, you won't want to drive that truck at 65 or 70mph
unless you make a lot of changes to the tires, wheels, suspension and brakes.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Wow ... thanks guys for all the great tips and advice ... I will let you all know when/if it works out - I will know by Monday whether I will purchase it or not .. I am having my mechanic look it over ... but I am pretty sure it is AOK ... You all helped me see that I won't pass it up just for the gearing ... I can live with it and enjoy it and at least I know there is an option if I want - down the road - but I probably won't make any changes
My mechanic also said that those trucks were not mean't to run 70 - 75 mph ... so thanks again for all the input.. I will be back for more questions if it all works out ...

Hi - Thanks for the note and information ... I will know by Monday whether I am purchasing the truck or not .. but seems like a good deal - original truck - with lots of pluses like overhauled eng and tranny - new paint (2 yrs) new wood bed - new tires - new gas tank - rebuilt carb - interior excellent (no radio though :() No rust - Original FL truck .. They are asking $12,500 ... does this seem like good price? I think they are negotiable but not much ($500 - $750 or so) ... Also - is gas mileage really bad on these trucks ? It has the 216 engine with the granny 4 on the floor ...

I think you'll find the answer to price will be all over the place. If you're happy with what you are getting and excited driving it, I'd say it's a fair deal. Especially if everything is done on it. Some say it's too much and buy a $3000 fixer and then put another 10k into it over many years. As far as mileage, that varies too. I think 10mpg is reasonable maybe up to 14.

I've been running my stock '50, 3604 since about 2005 and
average just about what Kyle posted, between 13 and 14mpg.
That's about the best you can hope for with that gearing and
stock tire size.
About 50mph is about it for cruising. If you can find a 4.10
gear for it you can bump that up to about 55mph and it may
improve your milage by about 1mpg.

Again, the price is pretty much what the buyer and seller can
agree on. A project truck that is in need of a lot of body and
mechanical work typically will run any where from $1500 to
$3500 depending on condition. A nice clean original one with a
good body and just in need of mechanical restoration $3500 to
$6000 and one that has had a complete restoration could bring
up to $15000. Of course there are those that are museum pieces
and look like they just rolled off the showroom floor which can
command 30 to $40,000
The price sounds like it's in the ball park if, all of the work
has been done to it that you listed. If you picked up a project
truck you gonna have at least that much in it before its
finished.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Thanks again for the input! I did purchase the 1953 3600 today ! I am a happy camper! This has always been a dream of mine to own one of these vintage beautiful trucks! Mechanic said overall a great truck in very good condition - needs some carb work (I think the float is stuck from not much use) and it is overflowing some and it will need a radiator in the not too distant future ... but minor things overall ... Ended up settling on $11,250 and I think it is very fair ... Would love to send pics ... how do I do that?

Would love to see some Jeanie, but....I can't help ya out there.
I'm sure someone will be along soon that can.
Don't be shy about asking any questions that might pop up. This
is the absolute best site on the internet when it comes to
restoring and maintaining the old Chevy truck.

By the way, congratulations on your new addition.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I think I might have figured out that I can post a link to PhotoBucket here to show you all my brand new/old (purchased today) 53 3600 ... Isn't he beautiful? I may be a little prejudiced ... but very happy with the purchase ... I think it was a good deal and I am looking forward to many happy hours driving this truck. I am sure I will be on the forum with many more questions down the road. Look forward to meeting more of you with this same love of vintage trucks. Here is the link for pictures:
http://s1274.beta.photobucket.com/user/jb4195/library/?view=media#/user/jb4195/library/?http%3A//s1274.beta.photobucket.com/user/jb4195/library/?&_suid=135822043855608421615176368884

Seems your link isn't quite working. However, I think I can help, if you don't mind. Beautiful truck, by the way.
Jeanie's 3600. The full album.

Wow, Jeanie, I can see why you are a happy camper. Looks like everything is there. Enjoy it.

Leo

Very clean looking truck, you ought to have fun with that one.

Grigg

Beautiful truck!

I went with the 4.10 pumpkin for my '48. 45 MPH is fine with me although I could go faster. I get 13-14 MPG with my 235/85 R16 tires. If you go with modern rims and radials, you'll have to solve the ol' rim-rubbing-on-the-tie-rod-end problem.

You don't want to go faster than your old drum brakes can handle. Anybody remember or still get the helpless feeling when your drum brakes faded to nothing in a stop from high speed?

4.10 here also, cruise at 55mph comfortably all day long. Stock 216 with about
the same mileage, around 14mpg.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/121488069
Adaptors solve the rim rub problem.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/117149859
I’ve found the stock Huck brakes on my ’50 are quite adequate even in panic
stops from 55mph. Never had any brake fade, I’m not road racing with it so even
at speed I’m stopped in a few seconds, taint enough time for the brakes to get hot.
If they are done properly they are just fine. Problem comes from taking short cuts
with the brake job. http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/114877856
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I'll second that, the stock brakes on my 52 were also quite adequate, never experienced brake fade and I hauled and stopped some good sized loads.

Grigg

Hey Guys! Appreciate the help with the link Also for all the nice comments on the truck ... did have to have a few things done (rebuild carb and master cylinder replaced) but still think it was a good deal and I am HAPPY with the purchase ... I do appreciate all your input and will take it to heart ... will be posting more in the future for sure. The fluid was low in the master cylinder and when my mechanic added it - there was some leakage so we are replacing it ... glad I found out before driving it .. Anyone know best place to purchase inside visors?

All of the vendors that I listed Jeanie carry the visors, and
once again, they are kind of pricey.
The holes are in the right side but you need to locate them
benind the headliner. I made a template of the left hole
location and used the mirror image for the right side.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

This is almost thrilling to hear about. I have a 1953 3600 with the granny 4 on the floor. torque tube etc. If changing out the gears in the pumpkin gets ya an additional 5 MPH what your RPMs? Mine is smooth on the hiway up to about 60 mph but I'm turning at 3100 to 3200 rpms. It works but I'm worried I'm pushing the 1959 235 motor too hard. . What kind or RPMs are my fellow 3600 owners turning with new rear ends?

What was you original rear end ratio; and, what will be your resultant ratio?

The difference in RPM can be easily calculated