Which rearend fits a 46
 

A body of mine picked up a nice 46 project. He is wanting to swap out the original diff for something a little better. Does anyone have a good donor list and the width. I think a gbody montecarlo should be close, but thought I would ask somebody that has already done it.
Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

If you still have the stock rear, measure it over the drums and you should get something around 60". This means a G-body will be somewhat too narrow, but it should work ok if you are wanting the deep wheel look. For a closer match to stock, look at 68-74 Nova, 1st gen Camaro, or 4WD S-10. Early Chevelle will work too, if you don't mind dealing with the suspension brackets and lugs. I have used 55-57 passenger car rears in these trucks, but those are getting rather scarce/pricey now.

On a related issue, the stock front track is about 2-1/2" narrower than the rear, so keep this in mind if you are going to an IFS and you want the F&R track to match.

Ray

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

Thanks raycow,
I read somewhere that the 46 and down was narrower than the AD trucks. I have a 53 and it was suppose to be 58-60. The older was said to be 56-58, but I like to here a couple different opinions.

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

Your figures are probably in the ballpark for track. The AD rear is about 62" over the drums. Track is less because of the offset built into the stock wheels.

I installed a 52 passenger car powerglide rear in a 46 truck and it was almost identical to stock width. That's where I got the 60" drum to drum dimension.

Ray

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

You are right. My buddy measured the stock rearend today. Drum-drum 60.5 . I went with a 8.8 out of a ford explored for my 53
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

Would you happen to know the width of the explorer rear? I'm not much good on Ford parts.

Ray

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

I'm going out to work on the truck here in a few. I ll measure it and post it up.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

95 or 96 explorer with disk brakes 31 spline 8.8 measures 59.5
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

Thank you for checking. That info could come in useful.

Ray

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

My '41 has a 1982 S-10 rearend, fits well, now I have 5 lugs on back and 6 on the front. That will change when I put a disc brake kit on the front with a 5 lug pattern.

:chevy:

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

Ok. Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

A 7.5 out of a 82-92 Camaro/Firebird is 60.5 inches.

Re: Which rearend fits a 46
 

when I had my 46 I put a rear end in out of a 76 ish suburban. the axle pads where in the right spot anddidn't require anything. I rolled out the original one and rolled in the new one. Mine was also a 12 bolt truck posi with 373's.
Harley