Jason, I drove my 58 short fleetside, with a 350 and granny 4 spd, with a59
gmc rear
end out of a hydramatic truck, 2.47 (1 think) for about 50,000 mi.
including from Calif to Florida, towing a small trailer. It worked fine, I
could cruise at 80 in the plains, without the trailer, even pulled some
large heavy boats out of the water on fairly steep launching ramps.
Since then I have changed to Ifs and 4 link coilover rear and 4 wheel disc
brakes, and automatic trans. But the other treated me well.
Tom Warner
----- Original Message -----
From: Jason E. Markel <markel@webt.com>
To: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2000 11:38 AM
Subject: [oletrucks] Transmission and Rear End Gearing questions
> I recently acquired a 1959 1/2 ton shortbed fleetside w/4 speed manual.
> The rear axle appears to be non-original. I'm guessing it might be from a
> 71 3/4 ton, but I really have no idea. At 60 miles per hour the engine
> (350 chevy) is really spinning, so I either want to change the
transmission
> or rear end. The axle bears the following information when viewed from
the
> driveshaft side:
>
> B or 3 896389 driveshaft GM71
> N
>
> Now for the questions:
>
> 1) Any idea what this is from or what the axle ratio would be? How would
I
> find out?
>
> 2) What are the internal ratios of the original 4 speed transmission?
>
> 3) What more modern transmission would be a good replacement? If I
> convert, I'd like to retain a "granny" gear and get an overdrive gear.
So,
> I guess I'm really looking for a 5-speed truck tranny that will fit
without
> a lot of modifications. What are my options?
>
> 4) If I wanted to change the rear, I'm guessing the easiest thing to do
> would be to get the entire axle assembly, drum to drum. That way, I could
> also get a 5 lug pattern. What axle would give me the same rear width and
> bolt right up? I'd like to find a posi unit, presumably in the 3.07 to
> 3.38 range.
>
> Keep in mind I will probably only switch either the transmission or the
> gears, not both.
>
> Thanks.
> Jason
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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