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Old 10-03-2010, 09:25 AM   #1
alden
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55-59 Nearly direct swap 6 lug, drum brake rear axle with low 3 gear ratio?

Kindof a specific request. I searched for axle swap info but only came up with a lot of people going with 9" rears for their v8 conversions etc and AD truck info.

I want to get a better gear ratio and my current axle needs a rebuild either way, so I'm hoping to go junkyard hunting and find an axle that will give me the following:

Keep the 6 lug chevy pattern
Keep the same axle length
Keep the drum brakes
Be a direct swap or at least as minimal effort as required
A low 3:xx gear set

Does anything match this description? It's going to go on a 1959 3200 longbed fleetside with the stock 235 and 4 speed if that means anything.

Thanks!
Alden
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Old 10-03-2010, 01:06 PM   #2
Knothead
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Re: 55-59 Nearly direct swap 6 lug, drum brake rear axle with low 3 gear ratio?

To retain the 6 lug wheel it will probably need to come out of a truck. I used one out of a 65-66 with a posi unit from the factory. I'm think they were available with Leaf Springs or Coil springs?
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Old 10-03-2010, 01:18 PM   #3
The Good Ratchet
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Re: 55-59 Nearly direct swap 6 lug, drum brake rear axle with low 3 gear ratio?

I would look into S10 and S15 pick ups. Many of them run 3.73. The bolt pattern might even line up. Only way to tell is to run out to the junkyard...
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Old 10-03-2010, 01:56 PM   #4
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Re: 55-59 Nearly direct swap 6 lug, drum brake rear axle with low 3 gear ratio?

You don't have a lot of choices if you are looking for a bolt-in. A 3.38 gear was optional in the 55-62 Chevy 1/2 ton rear, but very few trucks actually got ordered with them. Fortunately, 3.38 replacement gears are available from aftermarket vendors.
http://www.tomsdifferentials.com/catalog.asp?pg=15

GMC started using the Dana 44 toward the end of the TF years. If you can find a TF with one of these housings, it will be a bolt-in swap. Gear availability is much better than for the Chevy rear.
http://www.ringpinion.com/PartsList....ID=15&CatID=10


Because of the scarcity of the above two, most people just go with a 12 bolt and weld on leaf spring mounts. 63-69 (and some 70) are the same width as your stock rear and you can find them with 3.07 gears. 4WD trucks came with leaf springs, but I don't know if the spring spacing matches a TF. It couldn't hurt to measure one though.

Ray
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Old 10-03-2010, 05:27 PM   #5
Wrenchbender Ret
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Re: 55-59 Nearly direct swap 6 lug, drum brake rear axle with low 3 gear ratio?

I've alway's heard that the older blazer rear ends are good candidates as they have the 6 bolt wheels. The S-10 4X4 are supposed to be good but they wood be a little light. I put a Firebird in my 58 but it has the 5 hole small pattern. It already had that pattern on the front from a disc brake kit.
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Old 10-03-2010, 08:09 PM   #6
magicoolbus
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Re: 55-59 Nearly direct swap 6 lug, drum brake rear axle with low 3 gear ratio?

Patrick's Antique Cars and Trucks in Casa Grande AZ sells a 3.38 : 1 ring and pinon for around 200.
http://www.patricksantiquecars.com/chevyparts.htm
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Old 10-08-2010, 03:22 PM   #7
57 Jimmy
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Re: 55-59 Nearly direct swap 6 lug, drum brake rear axle with low 3 gear ratio?

What is the normal gear ratio in this era trucks with a 4speed?

Last edited by 57 Jimmy; 10-08-2010 at 03:22 PM.
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Old 10-08-2010, 04:34 PM   #8
alden
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Re: 55-59 Nearly direct swap 6 lug, drum brake rear axle with low 3 gear ratio?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 57 Jimmy View Post
What is the normal gear ratio in this era trucks with a 4speed?
I've been told my truck has anywhere from a 3:93 to a 4:75 (numbers may be off by a few digits) I haven't gone out and measured yet.
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Old 10-08-2010, 05:20 PM   #9
57 Jimmy
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Re: 55-59 Nearly direct swap 6 lug, drum brake rear axle with low 3 gear ratio?

Quote:
Originally Posted by alden View Post
I've been told my truck has anywhere from a 3:93 to a 4:75 (numbers may be off by a few digits) I haven't gone out and measured yet.
Thanks
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Old 10-08-2010, 10:36 PM   #10
raycow
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Re: 55-59 Nearly direct swap 6 lug, drum brake rear axle with low 3 gear ratio?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 57 Jimmy View Post
What is the normal gear ratio in this era trucks with a 4speed?
All of them that I have worked on or looked at in salvage yards had 3.90 gears. 3.38 was supposed to be an option, but I have yet to find one.

Ray

Last edited by raycow; 10-08-2010 at 10:38 PM.
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Old 10-09-2010, 09:54 AM   #11
57 Jimmy
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Re: 55-59 Nearly direct swap 6 lug, drum brake rear axle with low 3 gear ratio?

Quote:
Originally Posted by raycow View Post
All of them that I have worked on or looked at in salvage yards had 3.90 gears. 3.38 was supposed to be an option, but I have yet to find one.

Ray
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