'49 Chevy 3/4 ton truck rear axle options

A friend of mine is working on a 49 Chevy truck. It's got the original 6 cylinder in it. Right now he won't drive it over 50 mph because the engine sounds like it is rev'ing too high. It looks like the tallest axle ratio available that year was 4.11:1. Anyone got any ideas for what can be swapped into the same housing but have ratio in the 3:1 range? Just looking to get a little better drivablility out of it and would like to keep the stock rear end.

Thanks,

 

Taller rear tires ?

 

Anyone else?

 

Try the stovebolt site. Lots of knowledge there.

 

can't remember if AD trucks 3/4 ton and bigger were open driveline but if it is install a t-5 check out www.stovebolt.com for info on the swap.

 

The stock rear is an Eaton with 4.57 or 5.14 gears. That same rear was available later with 4.11 gears and there have been claims of a 3.7 ratio, but I've never talked to anyone who told a credible story of finding one.

If 4.11 isn't good enough you need to change rears, there are not readily available gears you'll like better.

Go to Stovebolt.com and I'll tell you the same thing over there.

 

there isnt any 300-350 gears that will fit. best bet is to change out the whole rear end.

 

put a nine inch in that sum*****!

 

Thanks for the info. I'll p*** it on.

 

4.11 with tall truck tires shouldnt be too bad.