The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 55.2-59 59 Diff ratio options?

mr48chev · 01-30-2020, 03:40 PM

The later trucks have a spicer rear axle that is completely different.

The info on GM heritage center 59 truck pfd says several ratios were available in 59 besides the common 3.9 https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf

Finding a rear end with one of the other gear ratios may be impossible over there though.
More practical and most likely the least expensive is to find a six lug rear axle from a donor vehicle readily available in South Africa with a more friendly gear ratio.
A proper width rear with the right gears out of certain model Toyotas may be your best bet.

This chart shows which of them have 6 on 5.5 lug pattern
https://www.discountedwheelwarehouse..._Reference.cfm

This list shows axle widths for different Toyota models.
https://www.roundforge.com/articles/toyota-axle-widths/

The 96 and up Tacoma 4x4 is six lug and 60.75 which should be close to perfect for your truck and some searching should find mid 3 gear ratios. It would take a driveshaft modification but your cost should be far less than other options.

You have to read between the lines here to decipher the info but the way to figure out what rear axle and what gear ratio the Tacoma have is explained. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/...-chart.365138/

Ordering a ring and pinion from the states with the 3.4 or 3.5 gear ratio plus the bearing and installation kit plus having someone do the installation there will cost you around and possibly over 1000 US dollars.

01-30-2020, 03:40 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,342	Re: 59 Diff ratio options? The later trucks have a spicer rear axle that is completely different. The info on GM heritage center 59 truck pfd says several ratios were available in 59 besides the common 3.9 https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf Finding a rear end with one of the other gear ratios may be impossible over there though. More practical and most likely the least expensive is to find a six lug rear axle from a donor vehicle readily available in South Africa with a more friendly gear ratio. A proper width rear with the right gears out of certain model Toyotas may be your best bet. This chart shows which of them have 6 on 5.5 lug pattern https://www.discountedwheelwarehouse..._Reference.cfm This list shows axle widths for different Toyota models. https://www.roundforge.com/articles/toyota-axle-widths/ The 96 and up Tacoma 4x4 is six lug and 60.75 which should be close to perfect for your truck and some searching should find mid 3 gear ratios. It would take a driveshaft modification but your cost should be far less than other options. You have to read between the lines here to decipher the info but the way to figure out what rear axle and what gear ratio the Tacoma have is explained. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/...-chart.365138/ Ordering a ring and pinion from the states with the 3.4 or 3.5 gear ratio plus the bearing and installation kit plus having someone do the installation there will cost you around and possibly over 1000 US dollars. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.