Ideal Gearing for AD truck, and what to get

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

Mines a little different....warmed over 250 stovebolt, 700r4 and a 3:73 complete from a 68 c10. I think the 3:73 is a great all around ratio within a bunch of drivetrain combinations. Stock 350/th350, 383/th400, inliner with a 700r4, 454 with a 700r4 or a 400 etc. There will be those who read the words " track" or "pull" and immediately jump on the 4:10 ratio ( which I have in 2 trucks-454 dually 4l80 and 5.3 4l60 2x crew) and its a ratio designed for a purpose just like the 3:73. Yes , tire size plays into this also as does how the engine was set up if you are going to really get into the topic. It comes down to what YOU do with it mostly. Will a torquey big block/400 combo with a 4:10 drive at highway speeds , sure. Will a mild 327/ T5 with 3:73's be fun at the track or pull the boat to the lake occasionally , sure. You will get better milage with a smaller numeric number and better grunt from a larger one is what it boils down to. Where do you come in in that equation? The best thing to do is to ride/drive as many like vehicles with different combo's ask questions to the owners and FEEL what is right for your specific driving needs, everything else is Lazy boy quarterbacking and trying to make sense of graphs and calculations.

My personal situation is: I want a cool retro somewhat OG engine, but want 4 auto gears because I drive over 75 miles a day round trip, but want to pull our 20' 1960 Avion trailer on the weekends. I want good fuel milage, decent power, good looks, ability to yank a trailer over a hill and haul my buddies TO THE RACE TRACK but not compete in it

So yes, I want the best of all worlds too. Sorry to bust your thread Coach

All about info.........no problem. Thanks for sharing.

Do you recall the track width of the C10 rear end you used?

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Coach529

All about info.........no problem. Thanks for sharing.

Do you recall the track width of the C10 rear end you used?

I'm thinking 62? I measured both and the 67-68-69 are only 1/2 wider ( 1/4 per side and also 6 lug, same ujoint etc) than the older ones.

[Coach529]

Wow....so that is exactly the same as a 47-54. Interesting.

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Coach529

Wow....so that is exactly the same as a 47-54. Interesting.

1/2 wider wms ( wheel mount surface) to wms, bigger bendix style brakes etc so must have been 62 1/2
Mine had a Dana 45 ( google it) wierd locking style like a dana 44 , but couldnt get parts for it. The 68 had a 1310 ujoint and drive shaft bolted right up. When I swapped the 700r4 I used a driveshaft out of a 92 s10 blazer 4dr 4x4 rear and a "conversion joint " to 1310, bolted right in after centering the axle in the wheel well and locating the leaf pin at center vs. forward like stock.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

1/2 wider wms ( wheel mount surface) to wms, bigger bendix style brakes etc so must have been 62 1/2
Mine had a Dana 45 ( google it) wierd locking style like a dana 44 , but couldnt get parts for it. The 68 had a 1310 ujoint and drive shaft bolted right up. When I swapped the 700r4 I used a driveshaft out of a 92 s10 blazer 4dr 4x4 rear and a "conversion joint " to 1310, bolted right in after centering the axle in the wheel well and locating the leaf pin at center vs. forward like stock.

That is great info. I did not realize the track widths were so close.