Hey everyone I am in need of changing either my whole rearend out or just the gearing. If i change the whole rearend out i would like to stay with an 8 lug rearend. The problem is i dont know what year of truck i could get it out of does any one know a good year. Im running 4.55 gears right now and cant do 65 without pulling 7000 rpm i just want better mileage thats all. If any one in so cal has a rearend to get rid of let me know. Thanks everyone Tim
Best swap going is a late 70s to late 80s Chev/gmc suburban rear, also trucks. If you look at enough fully loaded suburbans, you may find the 3.2 8 lug rear ratio. Not easy to find in trucks as much. not a bolt in because you need to switch perches and find a way to mount the panhard bar from your truck. ...If you can fab a bracket to hold the panhard bar, or cut one off of a 60 to 63 chevy truck or suburban, 1/2 or 3/4 ton brackets are the same. I'd grab the slighty longer panhard bar if you find a donor truck for the bracket; then you don't have to lengthen yours.
Your truck's rear end is the drop out center section with a round rear cover? That's the so called HO axle.Best gears are 4.11.You might find one,usually in late 60's trucks.Otherwise a swap like mentioned above.
Thanks guy im gonna have to get down to pick a part and do some work ive had this truck 10 years now and im finally serious about workin on it. I guess getting layed off was a good thing haha
Don't settle for the common later 3.73...you will not like it compared to the rarer 3.2 8 lug. Just keep looking. Most yards have a book for the axle tube stamped codes to tell the ratio...that's if the drums are stuck and you can't check the ratio yourself.