best rear for 52 gmc

[tobins 52 gmc]

I would like some help on the best fitting rear end for my 52 gmc ? thamks boys

[54 jimmy]

if you are converting to a small five lug pattern than a comaro,nova,caprice,monte carlo,or s10 rear will work. if you are staying with the six lug pattern than a toyota 4x4 truck or a full size chevy pre 88 will work. the s10 rear is a good swap but the 2wd and 4wd rears are didderent widths so be careful. the 4wd is 3 inches wider track than a 2wd. depends on what you are doing to the rear of your truck. if you are going to tub the rear than the s 10 2wd might be better. if not go with the 4wd rear.hpoe this helps you.

[BentHeadBolt]

Heres some food for thought..... I think (but not absolutely sure) that the specs are correct for the various Chevy rear emds listed below, These measurements are from backing plate to backing plate. (Add 6 inches to get outer wheel mounting surfaces)

* 1937-48 Chevy Car 54 inches
* 1948-54 Stock Chevy truck ??????
* 1955-59 Stock Chevy Pickup 55 inches
* 1960-66 Stock Chevy Pickup ??????

* 1982 S-10 Pick Up 10 bolt 50 inches
* 1993 S-10 BLAZER 10 bolt 52 inches
* 1993 S-10 Pick Up 10 bolt 48 inches
* 1969-74 Nova 10 bolt 54-1/2 inches
* 1989 Chevy Monte Carlo 10 bolt ??????

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

I have always used a Ford 9" from a Granada. Has the same width as the original rear.

[jkaylor68gmc]

not the 2wd! Get the 4wd S-10 blazer or truck rear. They are 58 inches and fit better than any other.

Thet are cheape and will allow you to run big billets, if you want to go with a 10-inch wide wheel you will have to do mini-tubs. trust me.

[Tom Meyer]

Check it out...

I went to a local junk yard and purchased a gen 2 camaro rearend (8.5) for $100. This is a great rear end for the street and a very good one for strip. I went to Jeg's and got a rebuild kit, an Alburn Posi carrier, 373 gears, and an alum backing plate for about $1100. I now have a very strong posi rear end for about $1200 which is like brand new. In my personal opinion, the best option for the money for my application. A 9" will cost you more and cost you 2% lost in friction due to the offset, a 8.2" may not be strong enough, and a 12 bolt is expensive (I have a 12 bolt in my 67 ss/rs). Plus, a 8.5" is a gm product.

I have included a couple of links to pics below.

http://www.meyerbrosrods.com/photos/...picture74.aspx
http://www.meyerbrosrods.com//photos...picture69.aspx

[1-ton of fun]

and you can use 4th gen f-body 12" discs on those 8.5" 10-bolts too (i am)

[BentHeadBolt]

Tom, Thank you for the input and new perspective. After looking at the pictures of your 1957 truck build I must say absolutely impressive. Your truck will stand as my new baseline to judge the quality and craftsmanship of all future truck builds I am involved in (mine included). And where my 1956 Chevy truck will never compare to what you are laboriously putting forth, (I do not have the "know how" to do so since this is my very first build), it is nice to know what can be done in the world of classic "old school". It is a beautiful project and proves that you do not have to throw mega bucks in off the shelf hardware and after market kit assemblies to make a really beautiful stock looking truck with modern mechanicals. A truck that looks old and yet, drives out with the safety and performance of automotive technology REQUIRED on the roads of the twenty first century. A truck that is "Modern Old School" Right On!!

[stevehsd]

I used a 3rd gen camaro disk brake rear end. It came with my truck, had 3.73 gears, and was the correct width. I know Ford 9in in the rear is the standard as is Must II in the front, is for hot rods. But I enjoyed using a Chevy rear end. I've seen some nice stuff using used 80's corvette susp. that is very reasonably priced and very high tech! But for me an 80's camaro ride is quite nice for a 51 truck.
Here's my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=stevehsd

[Tom Meyer]

BentHeadBolt, Thanks for the complements. I must give my brother Don Meyer credit for helping with this build and advise. If you noticed, all of his and my cars are on our website. This is why the site is named www.meyerbrosrods.com. He posted the message above on the 9". As you can see, we don't always agree but we do mostly agree.

Thanks,

Tom

[djracer]

I'm doing a 8.8 explorer rear in my brothers truck. His is a 59 model. The rear is 60.25 wide from wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface. It has 3.73's and a posi and disc brakes. I paid 250 for it!

[tobins 52 gmc]

Thanks guys for the info ,talk again soon ,may be some day i can learn how to post some pictures

[Daniel U]

Originally Posted by stevehsd

I used a 3rd gen camaro disk brake rear end. It came with my truck, had 3.73 gears, and was the correct width. I know Ford 9in in the rear is the standard as is Must II in the front, is for hot rods. But I enjoyed using a Chevy rear end. I've seen some nice stuff using used 80's corvette susp. that is very reasonably priced and very high tech! But for me an 80's camaro ride is quite nice for a 51 truck.
Here's my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=stevehsd

This is what I have underneath my '54. It's an '87 Camaro rear with posi and 3.73's/rear disc brakes. Came out of my doner '84 Camaro that had the upgraded disc rear: