1961 rearends ---need some advice - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1963c-10 · 03-21-2012, 10:31 AM

I have the date codes and rearend gear size info, but can someone help me with what rearends came in the 61 c-10's? I know some had dana's and some had what im guessing were GM corp 10 bolt's (round housing). Which were the better rearends. Also...how does the 10 bolt round rearend compare to the GM corp 12 bolt used in 63?

jchav62 · 03-21-2012, 10:39 AM

I'm not sure of the exact names of the diffs, but '61 Apache 10's came with what you refer to as the "Round 10 bolt" (that's all I've seen anyways). 3.90 is the more common gear ratio, but some came with 3.38's.

I'm sure the gurus will chime in... JC62

1963c-10 · 03-21-2012, 10:43 AM

I just got a 61 donar truck w/21,000 miles. Had planned on pulling the rear (hope its a posi) and if so installing in my 63. Are the 10 bolts a decent rear end? I just dont have any knowledge on them. Im more familiar with the 12 bolt 8.875 rears used from 63 on

question # 2.....need some input on two piece driveshaft vs 1 piece. My 63 has a one piece driveshaft and Id rather retain that.

**62 Longbed** · 03-21-2012, 04:29 PM

If I remember right , you'll have to do some cutting / welding of the brackets since a 1960-62 Rear End will not directly bolt into a 63-66 frame ... X-Frame vs. conventional frame ..

BLK65K10 · 03-21-2012, 10:22 PM

62 Longbed is correct. The 60-62 rear trailing arms come back at a different angle and are wider appart. As far as the Dana 44 it was mostly a GMC rear axle and was leaf sprung so it isnt a direct fit either. The only bolt in rear ends are the 63-72 chevy 12 bolt. The 12 bolt is a more durable axle and easier to get parts for than the "round 10 bolt". I would stick with what you have and rebuild it if needed.

LostMy65 · 03-21-2012, 11:54 PM

As others have mentioned, I don't think the 63-72 12-bolt is a direct bolt up to the 60-62 trailing arms - The perches are further apart on the 60-62's

**Captainfab** · 03-22-2012, 01:32 AM

Yep, I would stick with the 12 bolt. Better selection of parts, and aftermarket support. If that rear end is a posi, I would sell it to someone with a '55-'62 truck, and put that money into your 12 bolt.

Calvin66c10 · 03-22-2012, 10:17 AM

hey, out of curiosity whats the oem gear ratio for a 1966 c10 12 bolt? I always thought it was 3.73 but i have yet to actually check.

BLK65K10 · 03-22-2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin66c10

hey, out of curiosity whats the oem gear ratio for a 1966 c10 12 bolt? I always thought it was 3.73 but i have yet to actually check.

3.73 was standard equipment in 1966 12 bolts but 4.11 or 3.08 were available as options.

Calvin66c10 · 03-23-2012, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLK65K10

3.73 was standard equipment in 1966 12 bolts but 4.11 or 3.08 were available as options.

Thanks, Ill have to look into it then. I believe it has 3:73s. Ill look on the build sheet behind the seat to see if they special ordered different gears

1963c-10 · 03-22-2012, 01:01 PM

Ok, well then the 10 bolt will stay under the frame and it'll be my new trailor that im building. Now just gota find a short stepside bed.

markeb01 · 03-22-2012, 11:41 PM

For what it's worth, my 1960 GMC 1/2 ton has trailing arms and a Dana 44 from the factory. If you can find one it should be a direct bolt in. And Dana axles remain very popular with the 4x4 crowd so different gear sets are easy to find. If you have a bunch of vintage GMC's in the local wrecking yards, it might be an easy solution.

1963c-10 · 03-23-2012, 08:55 AM

I find 90% chevy in our local yards. But I'll keep my eyes peeled.

03-21-2012, 10:31 AM	#1
1963c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: fayetteville nc Posts: 10,338	1961 rearends ---need some advice I have the date codes and rearend gear size info, but can someone help me with what rearends came in the 61 c-10's? I know some had dana's and some had what im guessing were GM corp 10 bolt's (round housing). Which were the better rearends. Also...how does the 10 bolt round rearend compare to the GM corp 12 bolt used in 63? __________________ 1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer

03-21-2012, 10:39 AM	#2
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: 1961 rearends ---need some advice I'm not sure of the exact names of the diffs, but '61 Apache 10's came with what you refer to as the "Round 10 bolt" (that's all I've seen anyways). 3.90 is the more common gear ratio, but some came with 3.38's. I'm sure the gurus will chime in... JC62 __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

03-21-2012, 10:43 AM	#3
1963c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: fayetteville nc Posts: 10,338	Re: 1961 rearends ---need some advice I just got a 61 donar truck w/21,000 miles. Had planned on pulling the rear (hope its a posi) and if so installing in my 63. Are the 10 bolts a decent rear end? I just dont have any knowledge on them. Im more familiar with the 12 bolt 8.875 rears used from 63 on question # 2.....need some input on two piece driveshaft vs 1 piece. My 63 has a one piece driveshaft and Id rather retain that. __________________ 1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer Last edited by 1963c-10; 03-21-2012 at 10:52 AM.

03-21-2012, 04:29 PM	#4
62 Longbed Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gresham , Oregon Posts: 588	Re: 1961 rearends ---need some advice If I remember right , you'll have to do some cutting / welding of the brackets since a 1960-62 Rear End will not directly bolt into a 63-66 frame ... X-Frame vs. conventional frame ..

03-21-2012, 10:22 PM	#5
BLK65K10 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bonners Ferry Idaho Posts: 1,024	Re: 1961 rearends ---need some advice 62 Longbed is correct. The 60-62 rear trailing arms come back at a different angle and are wider appart. As far as the Dana 44 it was mostly a GMC rear axle and was leaf sprung so it isnt a direct fit either. The only bolt in rear ends are the 63-72 chevy 12 bolt. The 12 bolt is a more durable axle and easier to get parts for than the "round 10 bolt". I would stick with what you have and rebuild it if needed.

03-21-2012, 11:54 PM	#6
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,530	Re: 1961 rearends ---need some advice As others have mentioned, I don't think the 63-72 12-bolt is a direct bolt up to the 60-62 trailing arms - The perches are further apart on the 60-62's __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

03-22-2012, 01:32 AM	#7
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: 1961 rearends ---need some advice Yep, I would stick with the 12 bolt. Better selection of parts, and aftermarket support. If that rear end is a posi, I would sell it to someone with a '55-'62 truck, and put that money into your 12 bolt. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

03-22-2012, 10:17 AM	#8
Calvin66c10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Simcoe, Ontario Posts: 43	Re: 1961 rearends ---need some advice hey, out of curiosity whats the oem gear ratio for a 1966 c10 12 bolt? I always thought it was 3.73 but i have yet to actually check.

03-22-2012, 01:01 PM	#11
1963c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: fayetteville nc Posts: 10,338	Re: 1961 rearends ---need some advice Ok, well then the 10 bolt will stay under the frame and it'll be my new trailor that im building. Now just gota find a short stepside bed. __________________ 1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer

03-22-2012, 11:41 PM	#12
markeb01 Senior Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Spokane Valley, WA Posts: 8,356	Re: 1961 rearends ---need some advice For what it's worth, my 1960 GMC 1/2 ton has trailing arms and a Dana 44 from the factory. If you can find one it should be a direct bolt in. And Dana axles remain very popular with the 4x4 crowd so different gear sets are easy to find. If you have a bunch of vintage GMC's in the local wrecking yards, it might be an easy solution. __________________ My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444502

03-23-2012, 08:55 AM	#13
1963c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: fayetteville nc Posts: 10,338	Re: 1961 rearends ---need some advice I find 90% chevy in our local yards. But I'll keep my eyes peeled. __________________ 1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer



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