Task Force (55-59) Rear Axle Swap Question

[71stub]

I have a 1958 Shortbed Fleetside that I'm updating. I was planning on using an 88-98 2WD rear axle because I had it around and its a 3.42 limited slip. But it looks like it will be too wide... Anybody else tried one of these before? It looks like I'll be looking for a 70-81 Camaro/Firebird rear axle. Does anybody have any other suggestions? Has anybody used the 57-72 Ford pickup 9" and redrilled the axles to get rid of the 5.5" bolt pattern? Thanks

[meter swinger]

check SGTUSMC's build page. hes got a 58 fleet on an 88-98 frame. i believe with the 88-98 rear axle. he would know for sure, but if youre not running a big rear tire i would think it would fit. the 58/9 fleets are a bit wider than the stepsies of the same generation... offcourse this is why we are superior to our stepside cousins...

[GMtrucknut!!]

I am currently swapping in a 79 trans am rear axle. I like the width and it will allow me to run a set of 8" corvette rally wheels.Plus I would like to keep my truck all GM.

[_Ogre]

i have an 86 trans am rearend in my 58
3.27 gear, posi, dick brakes, right width
82-92 camero, firebird, trans am basically the same

[Chevette]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i have an 86 trans am rearend in my 58
3.27 gear, posi, dick brakes, right width
82-92 camero, firebird, trans am basically the same

Dick brakes? Where did you buy them? At the dick brake shop? Do they use assbestos pads?

[entourageguy]

dun't mak fon of peupls speln mistacks .....

[_Ogre]

Spell check can only do so much for an ogre
Posted via Mobile Device

[JumboAMONGus]

im gonna use a 67-68 camaro , narrow ,i called on drilling axles guy in area does it says the best way to tell is start to dill in spot and if it goes good then they can be drilled but if it gets hot and slipps all over then no cause some older rearends had a harder steel and will crack ...???

[Iceman_70]

I have a 56 stepside with a 12-bolt rear (late 60's) It had 15x10 rims in the back, with 275 tires, and they were sticking out 2"



I would like to keep these tires, I'm just not sure what to do... Shorten the axle is out, as there are no Moser-a-like shops in Belgium... So I'm now looking at either re-welding the rims or buy new, to get a larger backspace.

If I remember well, I tried mounting a 8" on the back which fitted ...

[71stub]

I found a 1961 Buick Lesabre rear axle I had laying out back which is 62" mounting surface to mounting surface like the original axle. It also has 5X5 bolt pattern like the 2WD trucks but I'm leary of the gear ratio as there probably won't be much aftermarket support and with a 235 and T5 overdrive a 3:07 or so gear ratio might not ever allow me to get into 5th gear...

[_Ogre]

the 235 probably won't have enough hp to push a 3.07 gear in overdrive
i'd like to try that gear in my truck
as is i get 20.1 mpg, maybe i'd move into the 25+mpg range.

@iceman, those are really deep dish wheels, maybe a 2'' back space.
you might be able to find new rims with more back space or have them re-welded.

[jimig1]

Originally Posted by 71stub

I have a 1958 Shortbed Fleetside that I'm updating. I was planning on using an 88-98 2WD rear axle because I had it around and its a 3.42 limited slip. But it looks like it will be too wide... Anybody else tried one of these before? It looks like I'll be looking for a 70-81 Camaro/Firebird rear axle. Does anybody have any other suggestions? Has anybody used the 57-72 Ford pickup 9" and redrilled the axles to get rid of the 5.5" bolt pattern? Thanks

I have a 9" in my truck that had the 5.5 bolt pattern. I had the axles re-drilled for $70. Found the 9" on CL for $100.

[71stub]

Do you know what year/model the 9" came out of? I'm assuming pickup with that bolt pattern.

[jimig1]

Not 100% sure the guy had a pile of them and this one was the right length and it had the gears I wanted. From doing some research on it I think it came out of a bronco.

[71stub]

I found a 61-64 Ford fullsize car (Galaxie) rear axle that is 61.5" wide. The downfall is that I'll have to drill the axles and brake drums for my 4 3/4" pattern. Thanks for the help.

[buggy5872]

I have a dana 44 out of a CJ5. 51" wide and I am running 15.5" wide tire and could probably get a 18.5" wide if I wanted to. Why did I use it? I had it and it saved me the money to get a rear narrowed. Fits with out having to narrow the frame but can't run stock springs. I built a 4 link that sits between the frame rails.

[jimig1]

Originally Posted by 71stub

I found a 61-64 Ford fullsize car (Galaxie) rear axle that is 61.5" wide. The downfall is that I'll have to drill the axles and brake drums for my 4 3/4" pattern. Thanks for the help.

Glad you found one that would fit. I hope you can find a place local that can re-drill them I had the hardest time finding some one to do it.

[71stub]

We have a rod shop in town and a dirt track shop that can both drill them reasonably cheap.