The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre New Guy looking for answers

Hey guys, I've been looking over the site for awhile now looking for answers to the questions I have with little to no luck so I'll ask directly. I have my Granpas old 51 chevy that he made modifications to and I am probably going to swap back to original. There is an unknown 3/4 ton rear end, and it looks like the rear end might have been moved further back and the spring hangers moved to the outside of the frame.

1st question. Can someone post up pictures showing the rear leaf spring brackets i.e. where the springs mount to the frame? Also some measurements of axle width from backing plate to backing plate, and from the cab to axle.

2nd question. I bought a disk brake kit that has 5 lug hubs, looking to go with a 15" rim but am unsure of the backspacing needed to clear the calipers. So if anybody can link to or describe how to measure for the rim backspacing/tire clearance would be great. Also the largest tire/wheel combo that will fit and clear if you have that info.

My Grandfather passed a few years ago, I had the truck promised to me but another family member weaseled it while I was stationed overseas. I got the truck awhile back and it is not in the shape it was when my Grandfather had it, in fact he would be whoopin azz if he saw the shape it was in. The info about what was done to this truck (in the 60's) is few and far between and basically died with him. I have purchased replacement parts for the things I know I'll need to repair/replace (some glass, gas tank, hood, wiring harness and gauge cluster) got the utility bed off yesterday and had it running briefly. I'm going to start pulling off the fenders and whatnot and pull the engine/tranny and cab starting today when I get off work and continuing till I have a stripped down frame so I'm sure I'm going to end up with a ton of other questions.

The truck is a 1951 deluxe cab, running a 350 with 283 heads and intake 2bbl rochester carb, unknown 4 speed with granny gear, already replaced the 3/4 ton front axle and installed the front discs. Everything else is a crapshoot that I'll figure out as I go lol.
Thanks in advance.

if the front axle was 3/4T then the back axle is likely the one that would normally be on a 3/4T truck, with mounts on the outside of the frame, and not quite centered on the wheel wells .... if you've changed the front axle and added discs, and it has a V8, what exactly will you "swap back to original"?

you might want to look over the info at Keiths site, including the shop manual, and factory spec package and see if the torque tube rear is still in place and whether the trans is the original [to fit the closed driveshaft]

Bill

Duggan, welcome to the Stovebolt. Sounds like a project for sure. As you work on it lots and lots of questions will come up so take it slow and easy. Lots of knowledge here and folks willing to share it.
As you ask questions just remember to ask them in the most appropiate forum for the most views and answers. Good luck. See ya around the garage.

Lots of bolters in Ca. I'll bet your close to some of them!!

I think the rearend is a Ford rearend, the pumpkin is offset towards the passenger side not in the middle. I'd like to swap it back to a Chevy rear, preferably a 10 or 12 bolt so I can use the rear disc set that came with the kit I bought before I knew about changes that were made.
I'd like to know if the rear end was moved back so if I decide to go back to an original bed instead of the utility bed I just cut off there won't be any (more)surprises.

I'll try to get pictures up tonight.