Seeking some info and expert opinions

[CaptHutch66]

New to 47-59 usually hangin in the 60-66 lobby! Needing some advice from you all's side of the board. Sorry no pics yet, will have them later today! 1952 GMC 1/2 ton, shrtbd, 6cyl w/4spd hydra-matic auto. All original except for Vintage A/C and seat. "Supposedly" in excellant condition! (we all know how that is).....How rare or hard to come by are the 52's and 4 spd hydra-matic? He's saying only around 130 made in 52 w/this trans. Will this thing get out of its own way w/the 6cyl or are most of these show trucks and not daily drvrs if kept original? Kinda on the fence on this one. Thanks, Hutch

[raycow]

If the engine is in good shape it won't have any trouble keeping up with traffic. The Hydra-matic is actually a pretty good performace transmission for its time. However, you won't like the truck much at highway speeds unless you do something about the rear gears.

I don't think very many trucks that old had factory automatics, so as a survivor it's probably pretty scarce. IIRC, Chevy trucks didn't even offer an auto until about 54.

Ray

[CaptHutch66]

Thanks Ray. Whats the most common updating on the rear axle? Hutch

[raycow]

Originally Posted by CaptHutch66

Thanks Ray. Whats the most common updating on the rear axle? Hutch

First, take a look underneath the truck and see if you still have the torque tube, This means the driveshaft is enclosed inside a tube so you can't see it turn when the truck is moving.

Ray

[CaptHutch66]

No its not enclosed. Here's a couple of pics. Thanks, H

[raycow]

Well, you are doubly fortunate then. First, because you have a great looking truck there, and second, because the PO saved you quite a bit of work by converting it to open drive. This means that all you have to do is replace the rear, and possibly modify the driveshaft.

If you want to stay with 6 lugs and approximately stock width, look at a 1/2 ton Chevy or GMC rear from 63-69. The GMC and all 4WD rears will be set up for leaf springs, but you may still have to relocate the pads to match your spring spacing. Chevy 2WD rears in these years have coil springs, so you will definitely need to weld spring pads on those.

For 5 lugs and stock width use one of the rears above and replace the shafts with aftermarket shafts or have a machine shop weld up and redrill the stock shafts. If you don't mind a slightly wider rear (about 1-1/2") you can use 73-87 2WD. These are all leaf spring, but again, you may need to move the pads.

Ray

[CaptHutch66]

Thanks for the input Ray. I'm sure I'll be seeking advice from you guys over the next few weeks, I appreciate your time, fixin to post an introduction (with the 52) on a new thread, will post a build thread in the next couple of weeks, thanks again, Hutch