I'd appreciate some guidance on what rear end I should use to swap for the stock rear end in my '57 chevy p/u... Want a good highway gear (maybe low 3's)... Want to use a 5 lug bolt pattern all around (using gm rotors and calipers from a late 60's gm p***enger car)... Needs to measure 63" outside drum to outside drum... I plan on using drums on the back... Thanks in advance... Tim
I am using a 12 bolt out of 70 chevelle it fit good. Becareful on later model camaros and el caminos F Bodied cars. Wide wheels will hit inside bed. If you want to tub it proably will work.
How about a Ford 9" with redrilled axles to match the GM? That way you can easily change centers and ratios; all 9" from any car or p/u are interchangable as long as the axle splines and the center match up. They come in 28 and 31 spline versions. F100/150 trucks from 57 to around 87 have the 5.5" pattern so there is plenty of meat for drilling. Even the Chevy truck racers use the 9" these days.
[ QUOTE ] How about a Ford 9" with redrilled axles to match the GM? [/ QUOTE ] I'm not sure what you mean... Forgive my ignorance. Tim
Mid-70's Camaro/Nova rearend. A 10-bolt is all you need. Pretty inexpensive as well. I've got one sitting here if you want to take a look and measure. Could probably find you another one for cheap. Let me know.
I just re-read my post... I think I confused myself... First, by re-drill the axle you mean to achieve the bolt-pattern I am after? The mix-up on my part is that I meant to say that I plan on using gm rotors and calipers on the front BUT drums on the rear... Don't care the year of the drums... Just looking to get the same bolt pattern... Tim
Yeah, your right about redrilling the ford axles for chevy wheels. That's what I'd to too. I've used 10 and 12 bolt GM rear ends in several hot rods with fair luck but some friend's have had problems with the cheap-*** wheel bearing situation of a GM axle. From now on, I won't use 'em. Also they're too inconvenient to change gears in... Ford 9 inch unless the car is an ultra light roadster. Then, I'd use an 8 inch.
The 9-inch is probably the best choice for strength and ease of changing gear ratios. But if my memory serves me correct, a second gen Camaro (70-81) rearend is almost a bolt-in for these trucks. It is the 8.5 ring gear 10-bolt, which is the storngest 10-bolt. It has the 5 on 4.75 pattern to match your front. The Camaro rear measures around 61.5 inches width, so a little less than what you want, but you can adjust that with wheel offset pretty easily.
Late 70's Camaro/Firebird is about as good as it gets. I had one in my 55, and it was perfect. If you get one out of an automatic, they are more than likely a 3.42 ratio.
i've been using 79 up caprice in 'em (if you don't want to run more than about an 8" rim) oh yeah, use sedan rears for 4 3/4" and wagon for 5 on 5"...
you'd need to use the truck spring perches, you can reuse them if you're careful. Put them on at the same angle they were on the truck rearend. The 71-81 F body (camaro/firebird) and 75-79 X body (nova, apollo, ventura, omega) are probably the best bet. Be sure to check the ratio first, you'll find everything from 2.41 on up to 3.73, get the one you want. And the wheel bearing/axle thing is a problem, make sure the axles are good in the rear you buy, pull them out to check for wear before forking over your $$$$ Ford rearends are nice, if you can happen to find one the correct width, but usually they go for $$$ nowadays because it's been a long time since they were made and lots of guys are looking for them. And the bolt pattern is wrong....you can have some of them redrilled but most car axles don't have enough meat to fit the Chevy pattern on them. also on the front hubs/drums, use 51-54 car parts, the 49-50 won't work, the drums are different.
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