In found a 1954 chevy 3/4 ton beam axle for my g***er project(55 chevy sedan) from what I can tell the king pin diameter is the only differance other than being a beefier beam. Has anyone put 1/2 ton spindles on one? It seems as though new bushings could be pressed in and reamed to a 1/2t or p***enger car i.d., Is this the case?
P***enger car and trucks use different spindle angles. Not sure if your method will work but early truck 1/2 ton axles are easy enough to find with all the mustang two swaps. I have heard about 1/2 ton spindles being adapted to 3/4 axles but never tried to do it, just picked up a 1/2 ton axle. Put a wanted ad on Craigslist and I bet you will get several offered to you.
I don't think they interchange (1/2 to 3/4 ton parts). Maybe machine the hubs? Somewhere on here is a g***er thread and details the differences between the 55.1 and earlier vs 55.2 and later solid axle g***er swaps and explains the pros/cons of each.
I actually have access to a series2 1/2t axle, but love the look of drilled i-beams my thought being a drilled 3/4t beam would retain more strength than a drilled 1/2t. I know that guys are running drilled 1/2t's out there but i'm planning a gmc blown bbc and some occasional air time under the fronts so I figure if kingpin bushings could be sourced with a smaller i.d, I would be ahead of the game. The kingpin lengths are 2 1/8" on 1/2t and 3/4t, couldn't I just have custom bushings machined with the inner and outer diameters i need? Or does it sound like I'm missing something?
...I've heard that 54 1/2 ton front axles have more drop than 47-53 axles, maybe an inch difference, just thot you mite like to know, don't know about the 3/4 axle.
I believe the only difference between the 1/2 ton axles and the 3/4 ton axles is the kingpin diameter. You can adapt 1/2 ton spindles by drilling them out to accept the 3/4 ton kingpins. The real expert on these axles is Sid at droppedaxles.com He's a HAMB'er and doesn't mind answering questions over the phone.
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