55.2-59 1959 Apache rear end I.D.

[mgchevyparts]

I was looking over my newly acquired 59. The rear end has a round, 10 bolt removable inspection cover on the back side and staggered shocks. I don't think that's original but asking you guys

[mgchevyparts]

OK, I figured it out. I have 5 lugs not 6.LOL.
I was reading the thread where the guy asked about original wheels and then realized he has 6 lug later wheels on his truck. The light went on for me because the truck has a front disc conversion so I thought I'd better pop a baby moon off and sure as heck I have 5 lugs all around. I'm going to say it's probably a Camaro rear with the staggered shocks.

[mgchevyparts]

I think it's a newer Chevy truck rear since the brakes are quite large, probably close to 14" backing plate and 5 on 5 bolt pattern. I was looking at a 1980 drum and it has lots of small fins like my drum has.

[1project2many]

Howdy,

It's obviously not stock but there's little information to help us make a positive ID. But there are a number of sites and articles with references that could help:

The 1955 FSM could help:
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...55ctsm0401.htm
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...55ctsm0406.htm
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...55ctsm0404.htm

And other pages have general axle information: https://www.onallcylinders.com/2016/...on-rear-axles/

https://www.autoanything.com/resourc...-differential/

Once you find the differential type (GM/Ford, etc) you can look for the location of a stamping or identifier.

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=...w=1024&bih=622

If you can provide pictures or more detail we may be able to help better. Many rear axles had 10 bolt covers and staggered shocks.

[dsraven]

snap some pics. usually the diff cover outline and number of bolts will give away the type and size of axle.

[mgchevyparts]

Round 10 bolt cover.

When I had the new tires installed today I got the rear drum part number, it comes back to lots of different GM trucks but heres a few:
71-74 Blazer
71-86 C10
71-75 Suburban
75-78 GMC C15


BD 8819

[dsraven]

Try this for axle info. Maybe help.

https://www.chevydiy.com/history-and...differentials/

[mgchevyparts]

I'm not trying to pin point it to an exact year/model. The brake drum part number gave me enough info. I have a feeling they used the same donor vehicle for the engine/trans, rear end, steering columm. The 350 has a factory serpentine set up and the belt part number cross' to the same group of trucks.

[dsraven]

in the end, it is what it is. if you needed a bearing kit, an axle or something else, down the road, I am sure you could easily find one at a drive line shop simply due to the number of these axles on the road over the years. not like trying to find a rad cap for a 67 beetle, a set of spark plugs for a detroit deisel or down grease for the feather valve on the gooseneck of an earth mover, lol.

[mgchevyparts]

I guess I have nothing better to do until the Laker game starts!

The stamped code on the right side tube is: BS3 G003

I can't find anything on this, any help is appreciated

[mr48chev]

This is a GM 10 Bolt cover Id shot.

You may have a later chassis under the truck like an 88 or up. A number of those had 10 bolt rears.


Can you get us some photos of the front suspension? From the top and from below. Well lit enough so that we can see what we are looking at.

More searching shows that they did put 10 bolts under some 70's C-10 trucks.

A guy showed up on here a couple of years ago with a C 10 crossmember cobbled under a TF truck I sure hope you didn't end up with that mess.

Sorry about the mess but I have been searching on this for about a half hour and have edited as I go to get the info correct or as correct as I can get it.

[mr48chev]

The only BS _ _____ code I am finding is a 12 Bolt Camaro with 3.31 Posi. That won't jive with your drum casting numbers though.

[mgchevyparts]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

This is a GM 10 Bolt cover Id shot.

You may have a later chassis under the truck like an 88 or up. A number of those had 10 bolt rears.


Can you get us some photos of the front suspension? From the top and from below. Well lit enough so that we can see what we are looking at.

More searching shows that they did put 10 bolts under some 70's C-10 trucks.

A guy showed up on here a couple of years ago with a C 10 crossmember cobbled under a TF truck I sure hope you didn't end up with that mess.

Sorry about the mess but I have been searching on this for about a half hour and have edited as I go to get the info correct or as correct as I can get it.

I know the difference between original frame and not. 10 bolts came under many trucks, suburbans g vans etc.

This one is a 8.5" 10 bolt, width is correct for the truck. I'm guessing something in the 80's Now to find the BS3 code

[mr48chev]

I searched for over an hour last night and cannot find anything close to a BS code for a truck rear axle. I could not even find a code for a truck rear that fit that format.