I've been wanting to convert my 49 Chevy pickup to open drive/freeway friendly gearing for a while now . It's a 235 , stock 4 speed , I think roughly 4:11 gearing . Anybody that's done it that can tell me the easiest , cheapest way to go , exactly what rear etc. to use ? Camaro rear , later model pickup or ? Thanks !!
Was it a pretty much bolt in deal ? Did you have a driveshaft made or use the 55 with alterations ? Thanks , Mike
What are you trying to accomplish? If its only a 3.55 gear issue, buy Patricks set and keep the torque tube.
Trying to accomplish freeway driveability , with the stock compound 4 speed . I think I need more like a 2.73 , 3.08 or 3.23 . I did the 3.55 from Patrik's in my 51 Suburban and it wasn't inexpensive ($400 for ring and pinion) and still seemed a little to wound out for the 235 to me . I think I'd like to get rid of the torque tube and I figure a later rearend might be cheaper/easier and accomplish everything at once . Anybody done it and know which one to use ?
Okay 2 words verdrive . Now what ? Didn't I mention 235 and what I wanted to accomplish already a couple times? Patrik's $400 ring and pinion and 2 words overdrive are going to be cheaper ,easier and accomplish what I've mentioned better than a $150 plus or minus h.a.m.b. classifieds , swap meet or junkyard open drive rearend swap ? Anybody that's done this , please tell me which rearend to use . Thank you .
Okay I just found a 63 Chevy 1/2 ton rearend about 10 minutes away on craigslist for $40 . If it's got high gearing like I need is this a good , easy , pretty much bolt in swap plus getting the driveshaft shortened or lengthened as nec. ?
your right on with the 273/308, even 256. the 235 has plenty of torque and can handle the high gear with out a 5 spd. the 235 has enough torque that is doesnt need a close ratio to keep up the revs. unless the 63 truck rear came from a auto i would not expect it to be a high ratio.the 70-80 camaro rear is the right width/ratio but you will need to fab the spring mounts. remember you will have to slide the rear back about 1 1/2 to 2 " to get it to line up in the wheel well. if you want 5 lugs you can change the front drums from a pass on the front to match the rear. as for trans any saginaw 3 or 4 speed will bolt up.
Now that's the kind of help I'm looking for ! Thanks , I thought I had heard Camaro was a good choice .
T5 5-speed OD bolts to the bell, needs some mods to the input shaft. So will a T4, for that matter, if you happen to find one (used in S10s like 86-89).
If it helps I have a mid 50's car rear end, it needs drums and new brakes, but spins smooth. I live in central California make me an offer and Come get it. Cheap I need to get rid of it. Pm me if interested.
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