The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline What Are the Best Rear End Options for 46 1/2 Ton ??

Guys,
I rebuilding a 46 i/2 ton from the frame up with IFS, 350 SBC motor and Turbo 350 trannie. Here on Maui there are no junk yards and finding a 10 bolt rear end has not been easy. Can you give me a short list of vehicles with rear ends that have been used successfully in this chassis?
Many thanks,
Steve

Depends on the horsepower. I am using a 2002 4WD S10 Blazer rear end in my '39. It has the exact same hub to hub width as the stock rear end. I am using a 270 6-cylinder in mine with a T-5 transmission. I had to move the spring perches and replace with the narrower units. This rear end will hold up fine until you get into 350+ HP or so.

I have a 1989 s-10 4wd rear in my 46 1/2 ton, it is the same width as the original torque tube rear, which is a good thing because it automatically changes you're brake system to bendix brakes from the old huck brakes in the back,(one less headache to worry about)....you'll have to get 1 3/4 inch spring perchs to weld on the rear,because the springs are 1 3/4 inch, jc whitney, or speedway has them has them, i have a few pics

....somewhere here on the bolt is a mega list of rear ends with their widths. You will be amazed at the different makes of vehicles have what you need. From Olds to Ferds.

Hey Achipmunk,
I'm new to this site and have not found its search function very helpfull, probably becuase I dont't know quite how to use it. Is there any chance you can send me a link to the "mega list" you are referring to? I was sure there was such a thing on Stovebolt but couldnt come close to finding it.
Many thanks,
Steve

Steve, the forum search is a struggle for most folks, but does work with practice although it only searches the forums, another place to check out is the tech tips section .... but the chipmonk might be thinkin of this page, which has been linked here before

Bill

This is NOT what I'm talking about but if you scroll down to "Carolines Truck" post there is listed lots of vehicles with the widths listed.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=682588&page=all

Bill, I couldn't find what I actually was talking about. I know I printed it out and have copies in the shop. I'll take a look and see just where I got them..... I feel sure I printed them out from a place here but.... oh well, if I have to scan them back onto my computer I will. I've used it a lot. Hang tight.


Here is something like what I'm talking about but its not "all" the choices I have printed out....but surely there is something here?

http://www.carnut.com/specs/rear.html

or here http://store.colemans.com/cart/rear-axle-assembly-chevygmc-us-gi-p-1551.html

Thanks Guys. This is really helpfull. I really appreciate it and this forum.
Steve

Hey Achipmunk,
I'm new to this site and have not found its search function very helpfull, probably becuase I dont't know quite how to use it. Is there any chance you can send me a link to the "mega list" you are referring to? I was sure there was such a thing on Stovebolt but couldnt come close to finding it.
Many thanks,
Steve [/quote]

I had to find out by accident how to search this site. There are 2 different search buttons here - The one in the far upper right in the white background of the page is a good one (Google Search), the other fairly useless and frustrating for me.

Hope this helps some other newbies.

These diffs can take a lot of power. They're very stout.

My 46 GMC is on an S-10 chassis and I'm using the stock S-10 2WD diff. It is narrower than the 4wd, but I tubbed the box and am running 15x10" rear wheels with 3.75" Backspacing and 31x10.5" tires, so 31" tall. Depending on the width and backspace of the wheels you want to run, the 4WD or 2WD diffs are excellent and can take a pile of abuse.