Replacing '53 chev torque tube with '55-'64 3rd member
 

If the torque tube has a non removable rear cover how do you remove the axels to use the '55-'64 drop-out?

Re: Replacing '53 chev torque tube with '55-'64 3rd member
 

It should have bolts on the back side that holds the cover to get at the C clips.
Are you saying yours does not?

Re: Replacing '53 chev torque tube with '55-'64 3rd member
 

Oh gosh I am totaly sorry about that. My truck does have bolts to remove the cover.

I have a 9" ford rear end laying in my back yard that the cover doesn't come off. I just mistook not having bolts becuase of seeing that thing so often in the yard. Sorry!

Re: Replacing '53 chev torque tube with '55-'64 3rd member
 

I believe that your rear will twist on you at the pivot point. They put them in there to pivot when the truck hits a bump, since the torque tube is hard and doesn't have any give to it. You will have to either welt the pivot point up solid or replace the whole axle with an open drive shaft kind.

Re: Replacing '53 chev torque tube with '55-'64 3rd member
 

won't the u-joints make up for that angle change.

how about using ubolts to hold the axle down on the leaf spring?

Re: Replacing '53 chev torque tube with '55-'64 3rd member
 

I don't think that the angle is the problem, it's that the axle pivots between the tube and the spring mount. That is the part that needs to be solid or it is going to pivot up and down when ever the truck moves.