Questions on stock 56 rear end

[craig32]

Greetings! I'm finally taking care of the body work and putting a bed floor in my 56. The hack job 'build' it had done to it is being corrected, and I'm looking to replace the rear end and/or wheels and tires. It had a 4WD set up under it, and the fenders will sit on the rear tires if I take the blocks out. It supposedly has a 70's blazer diff. in it - are they wider than stock? If not, I can probably get away with different wheels and tires to let it down. I replaced the 4X4 front with a stock axle, but the tires are still a little wide as compared to fitting under the fenders. I don't think the diff. is at the right angle, it should be pointing up a bit, correct? The engine also seems to be pointing down in the front as well, and the fan only covers half of the radiator, can be fixed with an electric fan.

In summary - what years of 6 lug rear will be the right width? Is the blazer rear in it the same?

Thanks!
Craig

[mr48chev]

70 axles are somewhat wider than the TF and up though 68.

I'd imagine that the wheels are probably at least 8 inches wide if not ten that the 4x4 brigade seems to favor.
Stock offset rims might get you inside the fenders but it will still be close.

[OrrieG]

Here is a chart that I have found helpful.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/a...0-jpg.3052551/