Hey there guys. I just bought a 54 3100 panel truck. I know the rear is shot and I am going to replace it. I just wanted to hear any ideas of people who have experience with the process. Thanks in advance!
'54 has a torque tube type rear. The first question is what do you intend to do with the truck, what motor and transmission do you plan to run? I have a '73 Chevelle rear under my GMC Suburban, which works well for me, but might not be the right answer for you.
It has a 283 with 350 heads. It has a four speed in it now but I am thinking about my buddy's Tremec T5. Either way the four speed has to go before long. I plan on driving it during a photo do***entary trip along Route 66. Going to have photo gear and what not when I travel so I'm thinking of trying to find an old 1/2 ton rear. Whatever I get it has to be stout to support a decent amount of weight. Thanks for the response.
My brother did one in his '54 1/2 ton some years back, used a rear out of an early 1970's suburban. It was close flange to flange, so he went with it. We made up mounting blocks from square tubing and welded them to the housing. From there he had to conjure up a drive shaft. Bob
If you have a stock type 4-speed you may still have the original torque tube rear and I'm ***uming you have 6-lug wheels and want to stay that way. A 60s through '70 six-lug 12-bolt from a Chevy or GMC 1/2-tong should do what you want. You'll probably need to change the attachments to fit your suspension but that is no big deal. There is a six-lug disk kit available for the front. I'd encourage you to make that change and put in a dual master too. You don't want to loose all that equipment because you couldn't stop the truck fast enough.
It does have the original torque tube. I am going to do the disc brake conversion on the front for sure. I was talking to a friend of mine about switching to five lug all round but I don't know how practical that is. I'm sure it can be done. But do I want to mess with it? I am leaning to keeping the six lug.
similar year p***enger car hubs and drums + 5 lugs. 55-57 rear axle 5 lugs + bolt pattern matches (I think)
If you are doing the disk upgrade anyway there is very little difference in the work required to go 5-lug versus 6. Its ordering a different kit and buying slightly different parts to go with it. Then you choose a different rear axle. Lots of guys will suggest the 5-lug drums from a '51 to '54 Chevy car. That is a workable swap but not an upgrade on the brakes. Going 6-lug limits your rear axle choices a bit more, but the right axle is not real hard to find so its really which way do you want to go. You won't be able to use the original wheels with either disk kit so that's not a consideration.
going with the 5 lug conversion will net you more wheel choices and if you go with steel wheels the multi pattern that most come with you could even use a 9" with disks in the rear! sure makes gear changes easy.
The 9 inch route is tempting believe me. I have been on the Currie website weighing options against my wallet. Do you guys know where the serial number is on my truck? I found a code breakdown and I want to find out where my truck was built and what not.
Depending on what bolt pattern you go with, if they make them with a truck 5 lug pattern (5 on 5) you can get a rear out of any 71-72 truck with a disk brake front end 2wd should be the same 12 bolt as any 67-72 truck, just 5 lugs for the disk front vs the earlier 6 lug 4wheel drum brake rears. If they're the right width like OldSub stated.
Driver's side door opening between the hinges. That is the only place the factory put it. If you don't see a plate with print and stamped numbers look for the two little holes from the missing rivets. Did you get a ***le with this truck? Does it have the body number or the engine number on it?
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