Need 66 Chvy advice - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

smithjm · 02-10-2010, 01:00 PM

My friend has a 66 chevy he has restored.
1)He is interested in putting a better rear end in it. The current rear end is geared too low and whines.
He's running a 327/TH350 combo and is looking for a nice around town driving gear ratio. He's not gonna be drag racing nor running down the interstate.
I suggested a 373 gear..I have one in a spare 71 truck (/w leaf springs)but it appears to be about 1-1/2" wider. Is there any suggestion of another rear end he can look for that will maybe fit closer to the stock dimensions?
2)I find that the newer (maybe leaf spring models) dont have the trailing arm/sway bar on them and the bracket it bolts to the rear end is cast to it.
What do you do about that?
3)Also,what's the suggested front disk brake upgrade kit? There's a number of them out there. Are there any that are suggested and any recommended to stay away from?
Thanks in advance for any info...I know nothing about 66's-but that they look cool.
ps:Went to the Moultrie,GA swap meet last weekend. WHAT A BLAST! Got some unbeleivable deals for my 71 GMC.

BR3W CITY · 02-10-2010, 01:20 PM

You may want to just find a rear end that came with disc, maybe something out of a later model blazer.

**DPowers** · 02-10-2010, 01:37 PM

Rear end info:
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa....php?p=3599387

Disc Brake info:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=disc+brake

nomrlz · 02-10-2010, 02:05 PM

i've looked thru several rear end threads the only figures i keep coming up with is 3/4" wider per side. nobody has posted up what the actual width is. is this info posted anywhere?

*blackedoutharley* · 02-10-2010, 03:35 PM

Why not just rebuild the rearend he currently has with a gear ratio change and add the disc brakes?

I highly recommend 3.42 gears in a street driven truck (depending on tire diameter).

SuperWho · 02-10-2010, 05:52 PM

I'm running 3.08 with a 700r4, and it's like a whole new truck. Great around town and on the highway. Sees both regularly.

02-10-2010, 01:00 PM	#1
smithjm Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pensacola,FL. Posts: 24	Need 66 Chvy advice My friend has a 66 chevy he has restored. 1)He is interested in putting a better rear end in it. The current rear end is geared too low and whines. He's running a 327/TH350 combo and is looking for a nice around town driving gear ratio. He's not gonna be drag racing nor running down the interstate. I suggested a 373 gear..I have one in a spare 71 truck (/w leaf springs)but it appears to be about 1-1/2" wider. Is there any suggestion of another rear end he can look for that will maybe fit closer to the stock dimensions? 2)I find that the newer (maybe leaf spring models) dont have the trailing arm/sway bar on them and the bracket it bolts to the rear end is cast to it. What do you do about that? 3)Also,what's the suggested front disk brake upgrade kit? There's a number of them out there. Are there any that are suggested and any recommended to stay away from? Thanks in advance for any info...I know nothing about 66's-but that they look cool. ps:Went to the Moultrie,GA swap meet last weekend. WHAT A BLAST! Got some unbeleivable deals for my 71 GMC.

02-10-2010, 01:20 PM	#2
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Need 66 Chvy advice You may want to just find a rear end that came with disc, maybe something out of a later model blazer. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

02-10-2010, 01:37 PM	#3
DPowers One foot in front of the other Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Parrottsville, TN Posts: 5,454	Re: Need 66 Chvy advice Rear end info: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa....php?p=3599387 Disc Brake info: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=disc+brake __________________ DP's 66 Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361556

02-10-2010, 02:05 PM	#4
nomrlz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Wataga,IL Posts: 666	Re: Need 66 Chvy advice i've looked thru several rear end threads the only figures i keep coming up with is 3/4" wider per side. nobody has posted up what the actual width is. is this info posted anywhere?

02-10-2010, 03:35 PM	#5
blackedoutharley Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Plumas Lake, Ca. Posts: 1,009	Re: Need 66 Chvy advice Why not just rebuild the rearend he currently has with a gear ratio change and add the disc brakes? I highly recommend 3.42 gears in a street driven truck (depending on tire diameter).

02-10-2010, 05:52 PM	#6
SuperWho Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 111	Re: Need 66 Chvy advice I'm running 3.08 with a 700r4, and it's like a whole new truck. Great around town and on the highway. Sees both regularly.



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