I am working on a 33 pick up with a stock drive line & suspension - initially my plans were to just add hydraulics and enjoy the 4 banger, as is ..... I'm seriously considering a T-5 upgrade, but that means an open drive line for the conversion. There are open drive rear end conversions for the 33, but currently everyone is out of stock. I have a rebuilt 46 pick up truck open drive rear end that seems like the next step to take, but here lies the problem I see. The center line measurements of the 33 rear ends spring hangars to the center of the axle bell is 4-3/4" , and the center line measurements of the 46 rear ends spring hangars to the center of the axle bell is 7-1/4" - or - a 2-1/2" difference Mounting the stock 33 spring onto the 46 rear end moves the axle assembly 2-1/2" farther forward than the stock 33 axles position. At present this leaves me with 2 options #1, shorten the rear spring hangars by the 2-1/2" difference, or #2, relocate the cross member to the rear of its original position by 2-1/2" At this point, Is there another option that I have over looked ? What is the easiest, what is the safest, what problems do you see in this situation - I am open to any and all suggestions. Thanks, Steve
Keep the '33 traditional. Own 2 Hot Rods. Buy a newer hot rod to go faster and to be more reliable. But do not post it here. Have fun!
Here's a solution. Jeep T5 adaptor to torque tube. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/jeep-t5-torque-tube-adapter.1002913/#post-11607174
The spring problem is commonly cured by using the late spring, and grinding the side of the leaves so it will slide up into the curved crossmember. I’ve never done it, but many others have and said it works just fine.
The last post on that ad was 6 years ago. I would think if still available it would have been updated.
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