Technical Identify the Differential

This differential is in my 59 Chevy Apache. I'm pretty sure it's not the original.

It was in the truck when I bought it.

I know it's a GM rear but that's all I know.

It has drum brakes and I want to do a disc conversion.

How can I identify the donor vehicle it came out of ?

 

Looks like a factory four-link.

What's the bolt pattern?

If it's a car bolt pattern, possibly G-body.

If it's truck bolt pattern, possibly full size GM like Buick or Caddy.

Rich

 

5 lugs- I'm not sure if car or truck

 

It won't be a truck because they had different mounting. Will be a GM car axle that came with rear coil springs.

 

There are a couple of different GM 10 bolt rearends it could be, or it could be a 12 bolt. Can you get a picture of the rear cover?

 

It could have truck bolt pattern, 5 on 5, if it's from a full size caddy.

Rich

 

soooooo...

1. Determine lug pattern.

2. Get good pic of back cover.

3. Measure width, backing plate to backing plate.

Rich

 

If you're wanting disc brakes, I'd look at some off Firebirds. Should be a pretty simple swap.

 

If you're looking to do a disk brake conversion, I'd ask "why"? Not much braking action going on with the rear brakes in an old pickup truck, since there's hardly any weight on the rear wheels when you're stopping hard.

btw the size of the rear brakes it has now will help figure out what the rear is out of. Mostly the full size cars used 11" brakes, midsize cars used 9.5" brakes.

 

Looks like a 10 bolt GM 8.5 or 8.2 65 to at least 74, and disc brake kits are the same

 

What squirrel said.

 

A very belated thanks to all who responded. Squirrel's point resonates with me. The truck stops just fine with rear drums and front disks

 

From the picture it appears that the right side has a little Toe In !

 

Is there a serial number on it? Google it and see what comes up.