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SFTorange · 12-29-2010, 10:58 AM

I spent a long time trying to figure out what to do with the Eaton HO52 in my '66. If you post a picture, I'm sure folks could confirm what you have. I was able to buy some time by swapping the third member with 4.56 gears from mine with one that had 4.10 gears. The third member or "pumpkin" unbolts from the front side of the housing and simply falls out after you pull the axles. The tallest gears that will fit in the housing are 3.90's, but I don't think the gears are manufactured any more.

Ultimately I decided to convert my truck to a 1/2 ton. I'm in the process of swapping out a 12 bolt rear out of a '68 into my truck. It is a fairly simple procedure if you find a 12 bolt rear out of a coil spring truck.

I'm not aware of a simple bolt-in solution for the 8-lug rear. There may be an option out there that I don't know of. From my experience, if you want to stay with 8-lug, I would recommend welding new perches on a newer rear end. The more modern setups were wider than what came originally in our trucks, so you do have to deal with some wheel backspacing issues.

I'll let someone else fill in the details as far as what rear is best.

12-29-2010, 10:58 AM	#2
SFTorange Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Billings, MT Posts: 417	Re: 64 3/4T rear end I spent a long time trying to figure out what to do with the Eaton HO52 in my '66. If you post a picture, I'm sure folks could confirm what you have. I was able to buy some time by swapping the third member with 4.56 gears from mine with one that had 4.10 gears. The third member or "pumpkin" unbolts from the front side of the housing and simply falls out after you pull the axles. The tallest gears that will fit in the housing are 3.90's, but I don't think the gears are manufactured any more. Ultimately I decided to convert my truck to a 1/2 ton. I'm in the process of swapping out a 12 bolt rear out of a '68 into my truck. It is a fairly simple procedure if you find a 12 bolt rear out of a coil spring truck. I'm not aware of a simple bolt-in solution for the 8-lug rear. There may be an option out there that I don't know of. From my experience, if you want to stay with 8-lug, I would recommend welding new perches on a newer rear end. The more modern setups were wider than what came originally in our trucks, so you do have to deal with some wheel backspacing issues. I'll let someone else fill in the details as far as what rear is best.