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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 201 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 201 | I was at my friendly local junk yard today looking for something else when the guy told me he has a complete dump truck ('41-'46 Chevy) with a 2-speed rearend that would go in my '46 2-ton. My question is would I have to change the whole axle or could I just swap out the differential? My current axle is in good condition and has good brakes (recent brake job) but the one on the parts truck is totally unknown.
Then, of course, I had the thought that the dump could be a good project on its own if I could get a title on it. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 3,399 Gas Pumper | | Gas Pumper Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 3,399 | Someone please correct me if I am wrong.. but I THINK the two speed rear axle does NOT increase top end. It acts as even MORE of a granny gear. It was made to get the farmer out of the muddy field without getting stuck by severely limiting the speed. Right? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | right Deve, the 2 speed rears are low and lower, but the low rear gear was more just getting the big trucks moving when heavily loaded ... no advantage to you Ed, for the work involved, better to rescue the whole truck  Bill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 | Yeah I think the low ratio was something like 8:10 to 1
John | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | You're pretty close, John. It's 8.22:1 in low, 5.64:1 in high. The standard single speed rear end could be had in 5.43:1 or 6.17:1, depending on GVW.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 201 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 201 | right Deve, the 2 speed rears are low and lower, but the low rear gear was more just getting the big trucks moving when heavily loaded ... no advantage to you Ed, for the work involved, better to rescue the whole truck Bill If you look at my post, you will see nothing about making the truck go faster. Here in western Massachusetts, we have a lot of hills and a few lower gears might come in handy when the truck is loaded. That said, my truck is supposed to have 6.17 gears in the rearend. I have seen high ratios listed as either 6.10 or 5.something. The 5.something would reduce high speed RPMs a little, which would be a nice bonus, but I don't even know what gears are in the parts truck. I was asking how much of the axle would need to be changed. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,107 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,107 | [quote=red58]
I was asking how much of the axle would need to be changed. since they are the same vintage and weight class it might be identical. you need to look at them both and decide if they're the same. whats wrong with your existing two speed rear? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | 6.03 and 7.99 for the 46 2 speed, 6.17 [or 5.43] for the single, little gain for a lot of double clutching Bill | | |
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