4-speed w/ torquetube?

[ratrod40428]

hey everybody, does anyone know what it would take to mount a 55 buick rearend with a torquetube to a 1964 chevy truck 4 speed? i know that some chevy trucks in the late 30's had torque tubes. i got the buick rearend to use as a mock-up in my 41' GMC but im thinking about useing it for the project. and advice/ tips would be gratly appreciated.

[yorgatron]

chevy had torque tubes up to '54-'55 i think.is the buick rear narrow enough for your truck? what 4 speed are you using,a regular all synchro or a grannygear truck style? if you're using a grannygear trans i have one from a '47 out in the backyard that has the torque tube hookup.send me a PM if you want all or part-george

[OldSub]

Chevy and GMC used the torque tube in half-ton pickups through '54. The '55 1st half-tons were all open driveline. 3/4-ton had a half open, half tube arrangement, and the bigger trucks I believe were completely open.

Both a 3-speed and 4-speed were available. The 4-speed is an SM420 with a granny 1st gear. I've heard that a kit is available to adapt a Saginaw 4-speed to the torque tube, but I have no experience with it. The 4-speed Hydromatic was also available in these trucks.

[Flat Ernie]

You might be able to start with a modern trans out of a 4WD pickup - it should have a short output shaft & flat flange where it originally went into the transfer case - should be fairly straight forward to adapt a torque tube for a decent machinist.

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