1951 Chevy styleline rear axle question

Hello all I've got my first ratrod coming down this week, it's a 1951 Chevy styleline, I've bought it minus the straight 6 engine and transmission, I'm going to be fitting a 350 sbc and an auto trans, do I have to fit a different rear axle as I've read it has a torque tube rear axle which won't work with anything other than the original 6 and manual box, what axles are a pretty straight forward fit and does anyone know what size I need and ratios are best.

 

doesn't look like a atray odray to me.
best to change the rear.

 

Yes, if it has not already been changed to an open drive shaft. A 1955-57 Chevy rear end is a direct bolt in. I am running a 1970 Nova in mine. The rear end in your 51 is 60 inches wide. Think about a 4 wheel drive S10 It's the right width and has disc brakes.

Check this out, it will give you the widths of rear ends.

Representative for comparison purposes only
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>Ford <TABLE border=2 cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Outside
Width</TD><TD align=middle>Year</TD><TD align=middle>Model</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>56.50</TD><TD align=left>1969-1977</TD><TD>Maverick 8"</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>57.00</TD><TD align=left>1974-1978</TD><TD>Mustang II 8"</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>57.25</TD><TD align=left>1957-1959</TD><TD>Ford, Ranchero, Station Wagon</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>57.25</TD><TD align=left>1965-1966</TD><TD>Mustang</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>58.00</TD><TD align=left>1966-1977</TD><TD>Bronco</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>58.00</TD><TD align=left>1964-1965</TD><TD>Falcon</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>58.00</TD><TD align=left>1977-1981</TD><TD>Granada/Versailles</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>58.50</TD><TD align=left>1977-1981</TD><TD>Versailles</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>59.25</TD><TD align=left>1967-1970</TD><TD>Mustang, Fairlane, Comet, Cougar</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>60.00</TD><TD align=left>1967</TD><TD>Cougar</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>60.00</TD><TD align=left>1958-1960</TD><TD>Edsel</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>61.00</TD><TD align=left>1964-1971</TD><TD>Ford Full Size</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>61.00</TD><TD align=left>1949-1951</TD><TD>Mercury</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>61.25</TD><TD align=left>1957-1972</TD><TD>Ford F-100 Pickup</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>61.25</TD><TD align=left>1960-1964</TD><TD>Ford Full Size</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>61.25</TD><TD align=left>1971-1973</TD><TD>Mustang</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>61.25</TD><TD align=left>1967-1973</TD><TD>Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>63.00</TD><TD align=left>1970-1979</TD><TD>Ranchero & Torino</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>63.00</TD><TD align=left>1972-1979</TD><TD>Ford Full Size & Intermediate</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>63.50</TD><TD align=left>1967</TD><TD>Fairlane (Coil Springs)</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>65.25</TD><TD align=left>1973-1986</TD><TD>Ford F-150 Pickup</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>65.25</TD><TD align=left>1978-1986</TD><TD>Bronco</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>65.25</TD><TD align=left>1973-1986</TD><TD>Ford Van 3/4 Ton</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>68.00</TD><TD align=left>1972</TD><TD>Ford Van 3/4 Ton</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>69.25</TD><TD align=left>1977-1986</TD><TD>Ford E-150 Van</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD align=middle>Chevy <TABLE border=2 cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Outside
Width</TD><TD align=middle>Year</TD><TD align=middle>Model</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>54.25</TD><TD align=middle>1983-2004</TD><TD>Chevy S10 2WD, GMC S15 2WD</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>57.75</TD><TD align=middle>1962-1964</TD><TD>Chevy II/Nova</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>57.75</TD><TD align=middle>1965-1967</TD><TD>Chevy II/Nova</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>58.00</TD><TD align=middle>1978-1988</TD><TD>Chevy Malibu, Monte Carlo</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>59.50</TD><TD align=middle>1968-1982</TD><TD>Corvette</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>60.00</TD><TD align=middle>1955-1964</TD><TD>Chevy Car</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>60.00</TD><TD align=middle>1967-1969</TD><TD>Camaro</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>60.25</TD><TD align=middle>1968-1979</TD><TD>Chevy II/Nova</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>60.50</TD><TD align=middle>1984-1995</TD><TD>Corvette</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>60.50</TD><TD align=middle>1964-1967</TD><TD>Chevelle</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>62.00</TD><TD align=middle>1955-1959</TD><TD>Chevy Pickup</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>62.50</TD><TD align=middle>1968-1972</TD><TD>Chevelle</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>62.50</TD><TD align=middle>1970-1981</TD><TD>Camaro/Firebird</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Mopar <TABLE border=2 cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>Outside
Width</TD><TD align=middle>Year</TD><TD align=middle>Model</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>55.60</TD><TD align=middle>1960-1976</TD><TD>7 1/4 A-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>55.60</TD><TD align=middle>1973-1976</TD><TD>8 1/4 A-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>55.60</TD><TD align=middle>1966-1972</TD><TD>8 3/4 A-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>55.60</TD><TD align=middle>All</TD><TD>8 3/4 A-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>56.00</TD><TD align=middle>1932-1934</TD><TD>All Mopars</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>57.40</TD><TD align=middle>1963-1972</TD><TD>7 1/4 A-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>58.54</TD><TD align=middle>All</TD><TD>8 1/4 F-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>58.54</TD><TD align=middle>All</TD><TD>8 1/4 M-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>58.54</TD><TD align=middle>All</TD><TD>8 1/4 J-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>59.00</TD><TD align=middle>1935-1936</TD><TD>All Mopars</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>59.14</TD><TD align=middle>1966-1970</TD><TD>9 3/4 B-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>59.20</TD><TD align=middle>1962-1970</TD><TD>8 3/4 B-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>60.00</TD><TD align=middle>1937-1948</TD><TD>All Mopars</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>60.70</TD><TD align=middle>All</TD><TD>8 3/4 E-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>60.70</TD><TD align=middle>All</TD><TD>9 3/4 E-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>62.00</TD><TD align=middle>All</TD><TD>8 1/4 B-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>62.00</TD><TD align=middle>1971-1974</TD><TD>8 3/4 B-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>62.00</TD><TD align=middle>All</TD><TD>9 1/4 B-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>63.40</TD><TD align=middle>All</TD><TD>8 1/4 C-body</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>63.40</TD><TD align=middle>1971-1974</TD><TD>8 3/4 B-body S.W.</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>63.40</TD><TD align=middle>All</TD><TD>9 1/4 C-body</TD></TR></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

careful with the term rat rod, the panties in a bunch club will pounce all over you. it will not be pretty.

 

mine has mid 80s s10 4x4 with drum brakes and700 r to the straight 6

 

Easiest rearend to swap into this car is a second gen Camaro. You need lowering blocks, but nothing needs to be changed on it, perch spacing is fine as-is. I did one last year.

 

X2, second gen Camaro/Firebird. Easy to find and you can find any ratio from low-2's to 4.10, and it is the 8.5 10-bolt which will never break with a SBC.

 

Im runnin a 72 chevelle twelve bolt posi under my 50. Works great.

 

Thanks for the help guys, I'm a bit limited on availability over here as I'm in the uk, but nevertheless ill find something to fit it. I get the car delivered down Thursday and have a few jobs to get done first before starting on the engine transplant.

 

I've been offered a 3rd gen '88 camaro rear axle it's a 2.77 ratio, do you think this will fit ok without too much messing, it's 62 odd inches wide I believe and a posi locker.

 

Lot of good info there !!!!

 

Yes i know, I appreciate it cant wait till its delivered tomorrow then i can look under her and see what i need or can fit easily.

 

Ford Explorer 8.8 is a good fit also. It's 58.75 inches wide.

 

If you use the pins in the springs as your center your axle will be off center. I believe you have to move it 1.5 inches or backwards. i put a 70 nova in mine i had to offset the axle pads. I went to atwoods and used trailer axle pads cause they were narrow like the old springs are.

 

yeah had i had to use pads from jeep and drill new holes in them to center mine also.

 

Just drill the spring pin hole forward 1.5-2 inches on the donor rearend, assuming they are in the right location. Don't overthink this. even if you weld new pads on, just make the hole offset.

 

Any pictures of pearches and rear end mounted stock leafs and s10 rearend ?

 

Hey guys. I have a 51 Styleline Deluxe Wagon and I also want to swap out my rear axel. I am adding a 350/350. Where can I find out the exact dimensions of my axel (primarily the exact width)? I want to assume that my styleline is the same as others, but you'd be surprised how Chevy did not use all the same styleline parts for the wagon. Thank you for your help.

 

Jack up the car, remove both rear wheels, drop a string with a weight on the end (a nut or washer will do) from each side from a lug stud, right next to the drum face, and measure the distance between the strings where they dangle.

 

The centering pin hole in the spring perch has to be re-drilled 1-1/2 inches forward, and 1/2 inch inward, to center the "new" rear axle in the wheel well and on the springs. Any rear end that's roughly 60" drum to drum will work, some are easier than others such as the 55-57 Chevrolet rear end. Next up is the 4 X 4 REAR end. Some of the Camaro and Nova rear ends will also fit without too much modification. We used a 56 Chevrolet rear end in our 51 Bus Coupe. I am Butch?56sedandelivery.

 

https://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Wheelbase,_track_width,_and_differential_measurements

 

Thank you for the assistance. It looks like from everything I have read online is that the Chevy S10 (1995 and up with 8.5 ring gear, 3.42 ration) is a really good fit. I just need to move the perches.
Can anyone that has dabbled with this swap tell me if the wheel sizes and lug patterns (5 x 4 3/4) are the same as the 51? I would like for my old wheels to fit this S10 axle/drum? Thank you.
Oh, and my 51 drum cover measures 11.5 inches across (and about a 1/2 inch more with the outer edge)

 

Just make sure you get a 4x4 axle. The 2WD ones are about 3" narrower.

Yes, the wheel bolt patterns are exactly the same. Your wheels will bolt right on.

S10 drums from that era are ~12" in diameter, total.

 

Hi enthusiasts, hobbyists, and know-it-all-ists. I am a little bit perplexed on the S10 rear axle swap.
I want an 8.5 ring gear and a 3.42 diff ration. And I know the axle width needs to be 59-60 inches.

Can you please tell me what year S10 models have this specific dimensions? I believe the 4x4 has the 60 inch width. But I just found an 1999 blazer axle online that has all the specs I want but when I punched in the VIN into a search, it says the rear track width is 55.1 inches. That makes me nervous. I though all the rear S10 axles for 4WD were 60 inches. That's what I have read.
Lastly, the axle I am looking at has disc brakes, not drum. Would that cause the 5 inches of difference? I shouldn't but I'm perplexed why the VIN search showed such a lower width that what I have reach all over the net. I know the drum to drum is 60. Does that number change to a lower track width if they are rotors?

To find what I am looking for, would you know the make and model I should look for? I am nervous to buy something. I went to LKQ last week and pulled off an axle from a 96 blazer 4WD. When I got home I realized it was a 7.5 ring gear. Not what I want. I think my 350/350hp needs an 8.5.

 

A Blazer is not a pickup.

You want a 4x4 PICKUP axle.

 

What gimpy said

Also 1st and second generation camaro axles bolt in

Tri-5 Chevy axles bolt in

The ford Grenada axle also bolts in

The 4x4 s10 truck axle is the right width but the spring perches need moving when used with the stock springs