1959 Apache rear end

[CovetedStyle]

I am about to install the porterbuilt drop member front and rear system on my 59.. what are the pros and cons of keeping the stock housing of the rear end (probably put some 3.73's in it to rail the freeway with the 5.3 vortec).. I have a big brake system in the front so not worried about the drums for now but wondering about you're input. Thanks ahead of time

[Katrina/10]

3.73 is not available for the original axle, as far as I know.

[northerngmc]

Most originals were 3.90 and a few were 3.38. You can buy the 3.38 as an kit to install.


I am not sure how strong the 55T rearend is, it seems to hold the 135 HP of my 235 just fine!

[Mac the Yankee]

Honestly, if you are going to the trouble of putting a Porterbuilt kit in, etc, then go and a more modern rear. By the time you spend the money trying to update your original, you could buy a much better rear.

[CovetedStyle]

Originally Posted by Mac the Yankee

Honestly, if you are going to the trouble of putting a Porterbuilt kit in, etc, then go and a more modern rear. By the time you spend the money trying to update your original, you could buy a much better rear.

Ok so scratch the idea of keeping the stock one. What are people using, I'd rather not spend $3000 on a custom 9 in so is anybody pulling **** out of yards?? Make and model?? Someone said something to me about a ford passenger car but wasn't sure on what if was!? Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

[_Ogre]

not sure what drop the porterbuilt is but your truck would also have quite a bit of rake if you left the rear end stock height.
my truk has an 86 trans am (3rd gen) rearend in it, flipped on top of stock springs. picked up for $200 in the junk yard.
you'll need to cut of all the stock trans am/firebird/camaro brackets and weld on spring pads and add a small c-notch
easy peasy

[yossarian19]

The 55T rear end has a 9 3/8" ring gear, fabricated housing & reeks of testosterone. If you don't mint the available ratios, I'd keep it. You can always go 12 bolt or 9" later. If you have big power plans, hell, narrow a 14 bolt.

[CovetedStyle]

Originally Posted by yossarian19

The 55T rear end has a 9 3/8" ring gear, fabricated housing & reeks of testosterone. If you don't mint the available ratios, I'd keep it. You can always go 12 bolt or 9" later. If you have big power plans, hell, narrow a 14 bolt.

I have a 5.3 vortec and I want good highway action.. Plus I know zip about rear ends so that's why I'm kinda in the dark here..

[beanyard]

I had my 55t (the original rear end) re built with 3:90s and it works great on the highway. I do have the 3speed plus a Borg warner tail shaft overdrive though. The rebuild as I recall was ~750 for parts and I believe sierra gear or Yukon made the gear set. I also paid ~750 labor as well but he replaced all the bearings in the whole rear axle.

[yossarian19]

Well, if I recall correctly a 3.90 rear end & 4L60E will only be 2250 RPM at 70 mph, assuming a 29" tire (235/75/15). Step to a 30" tire, you're down to 2140 RPM. Totally reasonable cruising RPM, I'd say. Going to feel like a lot of available power, too. I think Silverado 1/2 ton trucks with 5.3 and tow package came 3.73 ratio (don't quote me on this)
I did some reading on this and couldn't come up with a good reason to replace the 55T. If I wanted a traction aid or rear discs, sure, go 12 bolt... but the 55T looks like it will meet the needs of my LS swap 3200 really well.

[Spblack]

go on craigslist and find you a ford explorer rear end. they fit perfect in our trucks and you can find a 3.73 posi for around 200 bucks. the only draw back is the rear u joints are slightly off to the right about 2 inches and youll have to have the bolt pattern redrilled ($150) but its not a big deal. the ford 8.8 will hold up to whatever youll throw at it.

[Mattyparty]

On my Porterbuilt I'm running am 86 camaro rear end. Came with factory disc which is nice.

[Mattyparty]

Originally Posted by Mattyparty

On my Porterbuilt I'm running am 86 camaro rear end. Came with factory disc which is nice.

Oh also it needs to be the older camaro rear end. I know the "one and done truck" went with a newer camaro rear end and it was too wide.