rear axle question 49 chevy

Lookin to convert to open driveline. What axle is a good width to use? It aleady has a chevy patteron on the front end ( TCI ) so we want it to match. Is s-10 a good guess?

 

Late 60's early 70's camaro or nova.

 

60's-70's B.O.P.

 

Running a 78' Caprice rear in my 49' ....Dead on.

 

Second-Gen Camaro (like '73-'81) 10-bolt is a drop in with a relocated hole for the pin on the springs. '55-'57 Chevy will also work the same way. Everything else needs perches relocated. S10 4x4 is a good match, it's an inch narrower than stock and easy to find, and not hard to find with a posi either. S10 2WD is too narrow.

 

X2 on the s-10 4x4 rear. but do yourself a favor though, dont get one out of a 4 banger, you'll be topped out at 45 mph

 

same deal for a 49 pontiac coupe?

 

Under my 50 2-dr I got a 10 bolt out of a 68 Camaro, loaded with 3:08's and fits perfectly to the leafs I added.

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate it.

 

I just put a 4x4 rearend out of an 2000 Olda Bravada (same as S-10) in my '49. It was 3.73 gearing, posi, correct pattern, correct width and disk brakes. Rebuilt the whole thing after getting the housing and supension in place and found out the disk brakes hit the frame rail! I ended up swapping backing to drums and now it looks like it will work fine. The disks have a deep offset to clear the factory wheels.

Not sure if older disks off a Camaro with the same rear would interchange?

 

Mid 80's Monte Carlo, cutlass, 4wd S-10 are perfect width. Be careful with 4wd S-10, some ratios are 4:11 - some Montes are 2:80ish. 4:11 Might be too low- 2:80ish might be too high, I'd shoot for a 3:50 ratio.

 

I found mine on CL. It came from a '94 GMC Jimmy 4x4. It has 3.42 gears in it and runs smooth on the highway. Welded new spring perchs on and bolted it in. Same lug pattern as the front but lug nuts are metric though.

 

Anybody using a 1957 Chevy belair 3:55 under the rear axle on a 49-51 Chevy? Got a 57 Axle, and before rebuilding it, need some views on the fit and useage - Thanks!

 

my 50 has a 57 chevy rear with 3 73 grears fits right in

 

I have a '75 Nova rear under my '51 Fleetline , hits the road just fine, changed the perches on it , and bolted it in , same wheel pattern , same studs , no metric / american thread stuff to deal with.

 

teddyp - Thanks. I have steelies I want to keep. So it sounds like the 57 axle worked out well for you. Just want to check since the rebuild is running into some Bucks. It's a 3:55/1

 

On the '49 Pontiac, assuming you have an American Pontiac, springs are the same width apart, but they have a 5x5 bolt pattern so that's an issue. Ideal would be a '57 Pontiac or Olds but they don't grow on trees. Might try a mid-80s GM fullsize with the 5x5 rear, I know it will fit under the fenders with tires on but when I did it it was a frame and floorpan swap. Those are coil spring so you'll need to do perches.

Of course the '49 Pontiac is already open drive and you can come up with decent ratios for one, they even have Bendix type brakes, so there's a lot less need to swap one out.

If you have a Canadian Pontiac, then the chassis is Chevrolet anyways.

 

Thanks for all the ideas on the Axle Swap.

 

I did this one myself,all you have to do is drill a hole 1" forward for spring perch=DROP IN. Shocks fit fine.
I replaced bearings and took the bomb cross country;across the highest suspension bridge in the world, and through Death Valley. No problems.
If you want to put a posi in it all you have to do is relieve one of the internal web plates. It now "handles" B&B Roller 750DP 450HP SS396. In my Fleetline sleeper. Fly

 

S-10 4x4 rear is what i used.. perfect fit, only had to install new spring perches ($13.00)