The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1949 Chevy 1/2 ton rear end conversion

I am thinking about converting my truck to a t5 tranny and different rear end. My question is what rear ends with easily fit so I can keep my 6 lug rims?

Any 6 lug rear end 1972 and earlier fit the opening. You will need to add weld-on spring perches available from ClassicaParts. The head of the center leaf spring bolt goes in the forward hole of the new spring perch (not the center hole). This will place the axle close to the factory correct location, which is forward of the center on the fender hole center line. If you put the bolt head in the center hole of the perch, your axle will be too far forward.

Thanks for the info.. Any suggestions on what car or truck I should look for? (Manufacturer, Year)

The center section from a 1955-62 1/2 ton will fit right in your 49 axle housing giving you an easy open drive conversion. You will still need to remount it solid to the springs.

When you say it will fit the opening. What opening? The center section or the whole axle? I know that certain certain sections (pumpkins, etc) will bolt into the existing 49 axle.

Pre'68 Dave: If I am reading you correctly, you can change to an open drive with the parts from a 55-62 1/2 ton and keep the axle housing? Same axles? Same brakes? change the trans rear seal cover and add a drive shaft? I know the final ratio is the same I just did not know the Pinion and carrier would fit. Would this work for all years from 47 to 54 early? Wow! where else would I find that out. Thanks.

The 1955-62 1/2 ton center section will fit in place of the torque tube diff from 1940-54 on 1/2 ton pick-ups. Same axle splines.
The 1955-62 standard ratio is 3.9, although 4.11, 3.7, and 3.38 were an option.
I have done this so many times with T5 swaps and it works great. This way you do not need to worry about mismatched brakes or modifying e'brake cables.

So if I have a 55 1st series rear end, the perches are in the right place and everything. I have a borg R10 OD for the 3 speed solution, but T5 is a 4 speed? Tell me more about this. How does it compare in top end to the R10 and does it have the same shift handle as a standard 4 speed truck? I am putting this into an AD. Thanks!

ok, so NO, but what I am looking for is a 4 speed transmission with the normal stick, so integrated shifter that has the same range as the 3 speed with the R10. Is there such a thing?

Also, to the original poster.. no matter what rear end you get you will need an adapter plate or new leaf springs with the perch stud in the center of the leaf (or an adapter plate that puts that stud in the center of the leaf). Since my leaf springs were questionable anyway, when I changed over I just had new leaf springs made.

Now that winters over I'm getting ready to do the swap. Does anyone know if there are any 6 lug rear ends from the 80's or 90's that will a 49 chevy 1/2 ton? Looking for a gear ratio in the 3.50 neighborhood. Older truck rear ends are hard to come by where I live.

I put an ad on craigslist looking for the center section from a 55-61 Chevy and found two different guys in the Chicago area that delt in older truck rear ends.

Also, you probably don't want a rear in the 3.50 neighborhood if you're going with a T5 unless you're planning to run short tires.

Using a T5 5 speed. Will a 3.5 ratio not give enough torque? Using it for cruising.

There are a lot of variables involved. The 3.55 ring and pinion from Patrics works well with the original 1.1 third gear of the original three speed and tire hight close to stock.

What tire size are you planning to run?

What is the fifth gear ratio of the T5 you plan to run?

Do you plan to keep the 216?

Have T5 in the truck. Just have to decide on a rear end. Using original 16" tires. T5 5th gear is .72. Keeping 216.

You are using 16" wheels, but what is your tire hight? A 3.90 rear with your .72 T5 would probably be ideal for your 216 if you run a tire in the 30" range.

That is, in fact, the same setup I plan to run. If I ever get it done.

Tires are 28.25" tall. Current rear end is a 4.11 and am turning a lot of rpms at higher speeds in 3rd gear (1:1). The T5 4th gear is also 1:1, so it doesn't seem like I would be gaining much going to a 3.90 for moderate speed driving. I am looking at rear ends out a Colorado/Canyon. This is a perfect fit width wise, and come in either a 3.42 or 3.73. Thoughts?

"The T5 4th gear is also 1:1, so it doesn't seem like I would be gaining much going to a 3.90"

Then use FIFTH GEAR (.72) There is a BIG DIFFERENCE between 1:1 with 4.11 and .72 with 3.90.