Whats the best rearend? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**fine69** · 03-27-2016, 02:21 PM

Hey. I have a 53 Chevy panel truck. Whats the best rear to put in it?
I want GM. But not sure what year to look for? I think S10 blazers fit good?
I know i will do some welding. But i am keeping the stock rear springs.
Tell me what im looking for

Thanks

**mr48chev** · 03-27-2016, 04:26 PM

S-10 Blazer/4x4 is popular as are mid/late 70's Camaro/Firebird.

As far as "best" that's the one with the correct gear ratio for your needs that isn't bent, messed up from sitting in standing water or otherwise in need of a rebuild. Other than changing the mounts (a given) and possibly bringing the brakes up to snuff if the donor has been sitting for some time especially, I'd say you shouldn't be looking at rear axles that are suspect or need work.

Funny story on me, a few years ago just before scrap metal went sky high I picked up a "free" S-10 Blazer off Craigslist that was free because they didn't have the title for it. I only wanted the rear axle and figured to scrap the rest. I drug it home, pulled the rear axle and pulled it's cover and sure enough it was missing three teeth in a row off the ring gear. I ended up giving the housing to a guy who had a bent housing but good gears on his axle. Found the title in the glove box and hauled the hulk down to my friend at his jun yard and dumped it off and done with it. Make sure what ever axle you pick is in good shape before buying it.

ranger danger · 03-27-2016, 04:50 PM

My wife's, after 35 years I still drool. Man she is fine!!

yossarian19 · 03-27-2016, 08:10 PM

^^^ This guy

Best rear end depends on a few things.
Width, power level, bolt pattern, cost, etc. The Dana 35 and the GM 14 Bolt both have their places.
Me, I'm looking for a 12 bolt or a Dana 44 because parts are plentiful, width is close enough and they will take all the power I'm looking to make. I can also stay six lug with them, which is nice.

**fine69** · 03-27-2016, 11:10 PM

I dont need heavy duty. I'm just doing a small block, automatic, stock motor.
I was just thinking about width wise the best choice.
Im not a power guy. I would tear crap up if i had lots of HP.

**jweb** · 03-27-2016, 11:37 PM

I used a 72 Nova axle for years with a 350/th350. It had 2.73 gears, drove great in town and at 70+ on the freeway. The 60 1/4" width works well

If you want disc brakes the S-10 4x4 is a good choice but a little narrow at 59"
Posted via Mobile Device

**fine69** · 03-31-2016, 12:36 AM

Thanks for the help guys.

**hogfarm** · 03-31-2016, 08:32 AM

I used a ford 9" that I got for a hundred bucks,buy the time I had the housing shortened new axles made and a 3.90 posi, total climed to $1800.00
Dutchman axles did a real nice job and had a couple day turn over time

Joe Dial · 03-31-2016, 01:37 PM

55 2nd series to 59 Will bolt in

**hogfarm** · 03-31-2016, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Dial

55 2nd series to 59 Will bolt in

Not with 12" wide wheels
Posted via Mobile Device

Jemezcrusher · 03-31-2016, 09:50 PM

I am using an 8.8 out of an Exploder. Disc brakes, posi, and 31 spline axles. Got it at Upullit for 150

03-27-2016, 02:21 PM	#1
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	Whats the best rearend? Hey. I have a 53 Chevy panel truck. Whats the best rear to put in it? I want GM. But not sure what year to look for? I think S10 blazers fit good? I know i will do some welding. But i am keeping the stock rear springs. Tell me what im looking for Thanks __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6

03-27-2016, 04:26 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,715	Re: Whats the best rearend? S-10 Blazer/4x4 is popular as are mid/late 70's Camaro/Firebird. As far as "best" that's the one with the correct gear ratio for your needs that isn't bent, messed up from sitting in standing water or otherwise in need of a rebuild. Other than changing the mounts (a given) and possibly bringing the brakes up to snuff if the donor has been sitting for some time especially, I'd say you shouldn't be looking at rear axles that are suspect or need work. Funny story on me, a few years ago just before scrap metal went sky high I picked up a "free" S-10 Blazer off Craigslist that was free because they didn't have the title for it. I only wanted the rear axle and figured to scrap the rest. I drug it home, pulled the rear axle and pulled it's cover and sure enough it was missing three teeth in a row off the ring gear. I ended up giving the housing to a guy who had a bent housing but good gears on his axle. Found the title in the glove box and hauled the hulk down to my friend at his jun yard and dumped it off and done with it. Make sure what ever axle you pick is in good shape before buying it. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

03-27-2016, 04:50 PM	#3
ranger danger Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Vacaville CA Posts: 896	Re: Whats the best rearend? My wife's, after 35 years I still drool. Man she is fine!! __________________ 1969 C20 Suburban "Rez Dog" Rebuild America one testicle at a time. US Army 1977-1979 12B Combat Engineer US Navy 1979-1983 Gunners Mate Guns (GMG) NRA Life Member Unrestrained Children in back seats cause Accidents. Unrestrained Accidents in back seats cause Children.

03-27-2016, 08:10 PM	#4
yossarian19 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nevada City, CA Posts: 908	Re: Whats the best rearend? ^^^ This guy Best rear end depends on a few things. Width, power level, bolt pattern, cost, etc. The Dana 35 and the GM 14 Bolt both have their places. Me, I'm looking for a 12 bolt or a Dana 44 because parts are plentiful, width is close enough and they will take all the power I'm looking to make. I can also stay six lug with them, which is nice. __________________ "Over my head" 1957 Chevy 3200, big rear window & 6 lug. Front disc, power steering, Vortec 4.8 / 4L60E swap, hydro boost brakes & patina.

03-27-2016, 11:10 PM	#5
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	Re: Whats the best rearend? I dont need heavy duty. I'm just doing a small block, automatic, stock motor. I was just thinking about width wise the best choice. Im not a power guy. I would tear crap up if i had lots of HP. __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6

03-27-2016, 11:37 PM	#6
jweb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,209	Re: Whats the best rearend? I used a 72 Nova axle for years with a 350/th350. It had 2.73 gears, drove great in town and at 70+ on the freeway. The 60 1/4" width works well If you want disc brakes the S-10 4x4 is a good choice but a little narrow at 59" Posted via Mobile Device

03-31-2016, 12:36 AM	#7
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	Re: Whats the best rearend? Thanks for the help guys. __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6

03-31-2016, 08:32 AM	#8
hogfarm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Appleton Washington Posts: 592	Re: Whats the best rearend? I used a ford 9" that I got for a hundred bucks,buy the time I had the housing shortened new axles made and a 3.90 posi, total climed to $1800.00 Dutchman axles did a real nice job and had a couple day turn over time

03-31-2016, 01:37 PM	#9
Joe Dial Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Canadian Texas Posts: 3	Re: Whats the best rearend? 55 2nd series to 59 Will bolt in

03-31-2016, 09:50 PM	#11
Jemezcrusher Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Jemez Springs, NM Posts: 435	Re: Whats the best rearend? I am using an 8.8 out of an Exploder. Disc brakes, posi, and 31 spline axles. Got it at Upullit for 150



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