Ive got some good info off of here before. So I'm building a 37 master deluxe 4dr. I'm Looking to swap out the rear end to make it open drive. I know the width is 59.5, dose anyone known of a rear end I can use that will adapt to a th350. I know that s10 4x4 is the way to go but are now hard to find and at a reasonable price. I've heard that the ford explorer will work but not sure what year to use, also that a Isuzu rodeo might work. Dose anyone have info or suggestions on this?
Look for a Ford Ranger 8.8, 93-09 at 58½" or the Explorer, 92-09 at 59½". These will require some driveshaft mods but they are stout axles. The 93 and newer Isuzu is 60" .
Hi. I am just about to finish up doing this change on my 46 Chevy Coupe. I used a 57 Chevy pickup rear end as it has the same bolt pattern for my wheels. This new rear end has a 3.07/1 ratio and should be great as what I mostly want is a hwy driver. BUT a big problem I encountered after the install of rear end and T350 was that even at 65 MPH the ****** was not ever going into stall. Found it had a 2,500 stall converter and I was not coming close to that RPM in high gear. I have another convertor on order & will be here next Tuesday. That should take care of the problem. This 57 truck rear end may have been about 1/2" wider but still had plenty of tire to fender clearance on my coupe. We cut out the center of ****** cross ember and welded in some drop brackets in so the T350 could be changed from the bottom. Before the ****** & rear end change I had a 3.55/1 (pickup ratio that replaced the original 4.11) & 3 on the tree. With that I was getting 20 MPG at 65 MPH. My old ****** just was really worn out and I decided to go with the T350. When installed with the 307 & 2500 stall convertor my MPG dropped to 10 MPG at 65 MPH. You need to do the math before installing using your tire diameter, rear end ratio, MPH to see what your road RPM will be to match your torque convertor or expect problems. Likely may need around an 1800 to 2000 stall depending on your rear end ratio. I will know how all this turns out late next week. Good luck, Jimmie
Thank you that some good info. I do want to keep my original 6 lug wheels, I was told that the mid 80 early 90's Japanese trucks Isuzu and Toyota but have low gear ratios.
The noted Isuzu is a 5-lug axle. The older 6-lug pattern may make your search a bit harder although you could use a GenII Dakota/Durango 6-lug with an adapter...but then that adds to the width.... .
A rear-end from a 90's Nissan Hardbody Pickup is 59" and 6 lug If I remember correctly, the one I grabbed for a future project was out of a 1995 2 wheel drive, Axle code HF35 with a 3.545 gear ratio. 2nd Chance used a Nissan rear end in his speedster build: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/what-exactly-am-i-buying.796045/
Im pretty sure lotsa 55 to 57 Chevy rears ended up under 30s Chevys over the years. You might look into those since it will give you a common bolt pattern.
There’s a 78 Malibu rear end under my Master Deluxe 2 door sedan. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
49-up Chevy and the S10 are all five lug. Would imagine second gen Camaro fits under there too but same problem. I would just put some '51-'54 brakes on the front and go 5 lug all around, but that's me.
For newer stuff, the Ford 8.8 is probably a good choice. Older more traditional swap are the 55-57 Chevy car, the 67-69 (first gen) Camaro, the 68-74(?) Nova, the Ford Granada 8-inch, the Lincoln Versailles 9-inch with disc brakes (going to be harder to find nowdays, plus a poor emergency brake design). All of these will be 5-lug, and 58.5-59.5 width at wheel mounting surface. Ford will be 5x4.5, GM will be 5x4.75 lug pattern. I personally don't like the newer S-10 or G-body 7.625 10-bolts. They might hold up to mild small blocks, but I would rather have the bigger 8.2/8.5 10-bolts. 6-lug you need to look at trucks. The Toyota 4x4 are 6-lug, as are some of the other Japanese trucks like the Nissan or Izusu. Just get the driveshaft that has the yoke for the rearend you choose and any driveshaft shop can make the new driveshaft to correct length and yokes.
To retain the 6 bolt wheels you have, take a look at the Chev Colorado /GMC Canyon rearend. I believe the 4X4 and 2 wheel drive are all the same.
Appears there are some differences, predominantly the gear ratios... Here is a good discussion https://talk.cl***icparts.com/threads/colorado-rear-end-swap-information-pics-added-1-3-16.22271/
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