eaton rear reliability

[buds56]

I've started on a 61 apache 10 shortbed.

My plan is for a mild 350 with a 400 turbo,

Hoping to keep the torsion bar suspension with an upgrade to PS and an addition of a sway bar and a disc conversion.

My question is one for the rear axle. Its a 3.90 ratio, which I like.

I see there are seals, bearings and brake parts available from NAPA.

I'm curious if most people switch them out looking for a more highway friendly gear or are they unreliable.

Thanks, Bud

[j.kirn]

eaton rearends are very reliable

[Clyde65]

You have an HO33 probably, it is a 10 bolt and worked in 60-62, they were and are very reliable, however getting repair parts are no fun. IIRC They have like two ratios available.

If you want a more highway friendly rear and want to keep the 6 lug, you can go with any truck 12 bolt. You will need to cut off and reweld the trailing arm mounts though. Nothing is a bolt in other than another HO33. if a posi is what you want, they are not available, and gears are high too!

[verdell]

I switched the original rear from my '60 to a 12 bolt with 3.07s from a '65. Relocated the mounts and bolted it back on. I did it for better highway cruising and its great but looking to switch to 3.42s in the near future.

[61K10]

the eaton 32/33 was in 1955-62 1/2 ton tks. only one ring & pinion available 3.38 the 3.90 is not made any more (sadly) the bearings/spider gears/seal are the same as 1955-64 car. I am putting new bearings in one i just bought. hope it's quiet. Might take my org one and install the 3.38's but being 4wd that screws my ft axle up as it has 3.92's and the closest to 3.38 is 3.31 for the dana 44 which would be pushing it bunch. could run different tire sizes?? just trying to stay original.

now a hot-rod type tk i would go 12B or ford 9"