Rear end dilemma - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**dtkarst** · 11-09-2015, 11:38 AM

Went to do a rear end swap on my 66 gmc this weekend and ran into a few problems. I was hoping I could take the rear end from my 63 parts truck and swap it right under my 66 but it won't be that easy. It is physically bigger than my original one and would require me to cut the drive line a couple inches. The original rear end from the 66 is toast and needs a complete rebuild. It's a 3:54 ratio I believe. Anyway does anyone know where a complete rebuild kit can be bought? Carrier and gears etc. or what my next step would be?

**chevy2tom** · 11-09-2015, 12:03 PM

Try motive gear they're located in Chicago

61K10 · 11-09-2015, 12:32 PM

what rear is the 66 Dana 44? what is the 63? 1/2t? 3/4?

**MusicMan70** · 11-09-2015, 02:33 PM

This owner used one from a Chevy Colorado;

oklahomaduner
We also had been keeping our eyes out for a new rear end since the 5-lug, 2.73 geared axle wasn't working for us. After stumbling through all the local salvage yards, we ran across a never-installed rear end out of a 2007 Colorado. It has a limited slip, 3.42 gears, and its narrow enough to run some fat rears later on. But for now some 2" spacers made the ralleys fit perfectly!
The new 10 bolt rearend is narrow at 61" WMS to WMS, but having 0 miles on it makes up for it's "short" comings... . We were thinking that a set of 10x15 ralleys and some 31x12.50x15s would work nicely...just have to find them now. In the meantime, the 2" spacers work well with the 8x15" ralleys and 235/75R-15s.

New spring pads, u-bolts, plates, and u-joints for the old driveshaft and the rearend was a bolt-in job...even the old brakelines fit with no modifications.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...buckets&page=5

**Captainfab** · 11-10-2015, 01:38 AM

If all that is holding you up is the driveshaft is too long, why not just have it shortened to fit?

If you're now wanting to rebuilt the Dana 44, there are many places to get rebuild parts for that differential. But before you make that decision, you should check into what it takes to get new drums for that differential. There is a thread here somewhere where a member posted about all the trouble he had finding new drums. If the differential from the '63 is a 12 bolt, I would stick with that.

11-09-2015, 11:38 AM	#1
dtkarst Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Hays, KS Posts: 2,490	Rear end dilemma Went to do a rear end swap on my 66 gmc this weekend and ran into a few problems. I was hoping I could take the rear end from my 63 parts truck and swap it right under my 66 but it won't be that easy. It is physically bigger than my original one and would require me to cut the drive line a couple inches. The original rear end from the 66 is toast and needs a complete rebuild. It's a 3:54 ratio I believe. Anyway does anyone know where a complete rebuild kit can be bought? Carrier and gears etc. or what my next step would be?

11-09-2015, 12:03 PM	#2
chevy2tom Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wheeling, Illinois Posts: 703	Re: Rear end dilemma Try motive gear they're located in Chicago

11-09-2015, 12:32 PM	#3
61K10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: pleasant valley--placerville ca Posts: 3,039	Re: Rear end dilemma what rear is the 66 Dana 44? what is the 63? 1/2t? 3/4? __________________ 1961 chevy K10 my build is------------61K10 build

11-09-2015, 02:33 PM	#4
MusicMan70 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 1,840	Re: Rear end dilemma This owner used one from a Chevy Colorado; oklahomaduner We also had been keeping our eyes out for a new rear end since the 5-lug, 2.73 geared axle wasn't working for us. After stumbling through all the local salvage yards, we ran across a never-installed rear end out of a 2007 Colorado. It has a limited slip, 3.42 gears, and its narrow enough to run some fat rears later on. But for now some 2" spacers made the ralleys fit perfectly! The new 10 bolt rearend is narrow at 61" WMS to WMS, but having 0 miles on it makes up for it's "short" comings... . We were thinking that a set of 10x15 ralleys and some 31x12.50x15s would work nicely...just have to find them now. In the meantime, the 2" spacers work well with the 8x15" ralleys and 235/75R-15s. New spring pads, u-bolts, plates, and u-joints for the old driveshaft and the rearend was a bolt-in job...even the old brakelines fit with no modifications. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...buckets&page=5 __________________ MusicMan70 1961 GMC Suburban

11-10-2015, 01:38 AM	#5
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,247	Re: Rear end dilemma If all that is holding you up is the driveshaft is too long, why not just have it shortened to fit? If you're now wanting to rebuilt the Dana 44, there are many places to get rebuild parts for that differential. But before you make that decision, you should check into what it takes to get new drums for that differential. There is a thread here somewhere where a member posted about all the trouble he had finding new drums. If the differential from the '63 is a 12 bolt, I would stick with that. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE



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