57 Rear axle swap

[62 Barnfind]

I just bought a 57 truck and trying to find out what 5 lug axle would be good swap for it? This truck will have a LS swap in it. Any advice would be great!

[mr48chev]

There are a number of decent choices and the guys will no doubt throw out their favorites and the reasoning for each.

You are looking at four main factors, Width , lug bolt pattern, strength and cost. Width and strength being the main ones.

Some times it doesn't pay to buy what looks like a bargain rear axle if you then have to change gears to get the ratio you want, add a posi or locker because you want one, add disk brakes because you feel you need them with the LS or have it narrowed or have the lug bolt patterned because it doesn't fit the bolt pattern you have.

If you are staying six lug there are a couple of Chevy Colorado rears that are the right width (they come in at least three widths depending on the exact model and trim of the truck) have six lugs. have the desired gear ratio an usually have disk brakes. The buy in is a bit spendy as they are pretty new but you don't have to change things and spend more money.

Ford Explorer rears are real popular and the later ones have disks. Strong and not spendy but you have the 5 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern. Ford nine inch are as strong as all get out and popular but those usually require the mods to get them where you want an you can expend to spend far more changing them around than you paid for the rear.

Not sure if you are a civilian at Killeen or stationed at FT Hood. I was at Ft Hood, in 1969, met my wife in Belton and lived in McGregor for the first 8 years after we got married before moving back up here.

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

There are a number of decent choices and the guys will no doubt throw out their favorites and the reasoning for each.

You are looking at four main factors, Width , lug bolt pattern, strength and cost. Width and strength being the main ones.

Some times it doesn't pay to buy what looks like a bargain rear axle if you then have to change gears to get the ratio you want, add a posi or locker because you want one, add disk brakes because you feel you need them with the LS or have it narrowed or have the lug bolt patterned because it doesn't fit the bolt pattern you have.

If you are staying six lug there are a couple of Chevy Colorado rears that are the right width (they come in at least three widths depending on the exact model and trim of the truck) have six lugs. have the desired gear ratio an usually have disk brakes. The buy in is a bit spendy as they are pretty new but you don't have to change things and spend more money.

Ford Explorer rears are real popular and the later ones have disks. Strong and not spendy but you have the 5 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern. Ford nine inch are as strong as all get out and popular but those usually require the mods to get them where you want an you can expend to spend far more changing them around than you paid for the rear.

Not sure if you are a civilian at Killeen or stationed at FT Hood. I was at Ft Hood, in 1969, met my wife in Belton and lived in McGregor for the first 8 years after we got married before moving back up here.

Thanks for the reply. I am retired and work at the Temple VA now. This is my third classic car project and I am trying to figure which way to go. I left the 10 bolt in my 62 and I wanted to do something else that is easier on the highway on this build.

[_Ogre]

i have a 3rd gen trans am rear end, the 1986 axle is 61'' wide and came with a borg warner 7.75 inch and 3.27 gear and disc brakes
the borg warner 7.75 is supposed to be pretty tough, i know it will the spin tires as long as i stay on the go pedal
the 3.27 ratio also gets me 20 mpg on the highway with the 700r4 and ramjet 350

i used the sway bar and torque arm that came with the rear axle mounted flipped on stock springs
the sway bar makes truk handle like a go cart and the torque arm eliminates axle wrap
with wide tires it is pretty tight, but i have never rubbed a tire on the fenders

3rd gen camaro is the same width but has drum brakes and corporate gear ratios from 3.08 to 4.10

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i have a 3rd gen trans am rear end, the 1986 axle is 61'' wide and came with a borg warner 7.75 inch and 3.27 gear and disc brakes
the borg warner 7.75 is supposed to be pretty tough, i know it will the spin tires as long as i stay on the go pedal
the 3.27 ratio also gets me 20 mpg on the highway with the 700r4 and ramjet 350

i used the sway bar and torque arm that came with the rear axle mounted flipped on stock springs
the sway bar makes truk handle like a go cart and the torque arm eliminates axle wrap
with wide tires it is pretty tight, but i have never rubbed a tire on the fenders

3rd gen camaro is the same width but has drum brakes and corporate gear ratios from 3.08 to 4.10

Thanks for the reply! Can you post some pics of your axle swap.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I switched to a Ford 8.8 with limited slip and 3.73’s to match my C4 Corvette IFS.

[whitedog76]

Caprice rearends are 61-62 inches, but usually geared pretty high. 4wd S10 are always popular. Colorado 4wd are a good choice if you want 6 lugs.

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I switched to a Ford 8.8 with limited slip and 3.73’s to match my C4 Corvette IFS.

Originally Posted by whitedog76

Caprice rearends are 61-62 inches, but usually geared pretty high. 4wd S10 are always popular. Colorado 4wd are a good choice if you want 6 lugs.

Thanks! You both gave me some more choices.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

Thanks for the reply! Can you post some pics of your axle swap.

ogre is staying warm and cozy in florida
i don't have any pics on this laptop
read my build thread, lots of pics there

[jkmhb]

In my '58, I used a S10 Blazer 4x4 ZR2 rear. GM 8.5" (most are 8.625", but not mine). It has the correct Chevy bolt pattern, Disc Brakes and the width worked out really well with C2 Corvette Rallyes and 205/70R15 tires. It has 3.73 gears, which may not be ideal for some uses.

It is working well, I'm currently workout out a solution for the parking brake.

[G&R's57GMC]

I went with a Currie 9" with limited slip and No Limit fat bar suspension with air bags .

I also went with No Limit wide ride front suspension with power steering and air bags .

I also went with a 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern.

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

I went with a Currie 9" with limited slip and No Limit fat bar suspension with air bags .

I also went with No Limit wide ride front suspension with power steering and air bags .

I also went with a 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern.

Nice! Did you order it directly from Curie or get it for a vehicle?

[Rude Dude]

Some Chevy widths

Outside
Width Year Model

58.00 1978-1988 Chevy Malibu, Monte Carlo
60.00 1955-1964 Chevy Car
60.00 1967-1969 Camaro
60.25 1968-1979 Chevy II/Nova
60.50 1964-1967 Chevelle
62.00 1955-1959 Chevy Pickup
62.50 1970-1981 Camaro/Firebird

[FAKKY]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

ogre is staying warm and cozy in florida
i don't have any pics on this laptop
read my build thread, lots of pics there

Where in FL you need to come visit St Pete area.

[FAKKY]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

I just bought a 57 truck and trying to find out what 5 lug axle would be good swap for it? This truck will have a LS swap in it. Any advice would be great!

I went with the 3.73 disc explorer 8.8 rear. Was un good condition and $150 delivered from junk yard. My best buy yet.

Guess it depends what LS and HP too

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

Nice! Did you order it directly from Curie or get it for a vehicle?

Ordered from Currie, 60".

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Ordered from Currie, 60".

Thanks! I'll check them out!

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by FAKKY

Where in FL you need to come visit St Pete area.

sarasota, an hour south of you
unfortunately driving the 09 sierra, not in my 58
moving over to daytona next tues, found a cheap rental over there

[FAKKY]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

sarasota, an hour south of you
unfortunately driving the 09 sierra, not in my 58
moving over to daytona next tues, found a cheap rental over there

Well

Welcome to come if suits I can grab some steaks.
We can also put that 09 engine in my 57 whilst your here.

2 birds .....

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Ordered from Currie, 60".

If I recall back to 2010 I thought Rob at NoLimit said it was 60".
I now have to question the width after looking at NoLimit's site . It might be 61"

[DA68]

One of the most popular choices is the 2nd gen Camaro/TA, 8.5", 10 bolt rear. The 8.5" is a strong unit and track width is right for 55 - 59 trucks. Mine is a factory posi and is in the shop being freshened up for my 59 GMC.

[62 Barnfind]

Does anybody know what axle has the 5 x 4.75 lug pattern that will work? I can get a good deal on a set of wheels for this pattern.

[DA68]

Camaro/TA has 4.75"

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by DA68

Camaro/TA has 4.75"

Thanks!

[jkmhb]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

Does anybody know what axle has the 5 x 4.75 lug pattern that will work? I can get a good deal on a set of wheels for this pattern.

All of the Mid size and F body GM and S10 Blazer rear ends mentioned here would be 5 X 4.75.
Some of the full size GMs would be 5 X 5.