Eaton H052 - Drop Out Pumpkin Swap?

[64c20crewcab]

OK here is an update on the 3.42 drop out swap for an Eaton rearend.
It aint possible. The local truck wrecking yard owner that told me this is mistaken.

I went to the shop that he used for diff work over the pas 15 yrs. This shop owner straightend me out on this. He took a look and said no I it can not be done. He called around for gear selection availability for these and came up with nothing - as expected. His only suggestion was to use a later model 3/4 ton rearend with disc brakes and 3.?? gears and call it a day. He'd do the swap for bout $1,200.

Thats one option and the other is to use a complete F&R 6-lug suspension from a doner 66 C10. I have all of this sitting in the garage now. Convert the rear to 3.73 then bolt in. Decision, decisions....

[Fred T]

I was starting to get my hopes up. At least now we know...

The problem I have with the 14 bolt is that it doesn't look right under these trucks. The 12 bolt is okay for looks, it's not as big. And it did have better gears.

I wish we could get someone to cut some 3.73s for the HO52. Art Houser was cutting 4.10 & 3.90, but he's no longer with us.

[64c20crewcab]

Ya know that maybe if we could get a commitment from a few of the H052 Guys that maybe we can get a minimum number of sets cut?

What do ya think?

I can ask the shop I spoke to yesterday to see if its a possibility.

[Fred T]

The last ones I saw were selling for $600. I doubt if you get too many takers at that price.

[64c20crewcab]

Yikes - well it was a thought! Planning on taking the 1/2 ton 66 rear I mentioned and have it geared to a 3.73 Will run 6 lug for now and 5 lug down the road. Will strip the 14 bolt disc brakes off the H052 and see what I can do with this set up.

[Captainfab]

If you want to stay with a 3/4 ton diff and 8 lug wheels you could go with a Dana 60. They're a little smaller than a FF 14 bolt and the aftermarket offers gears up to 3.54. You might get lucky and find one that'll bolt in. I have a '71 C20 rolling chassis with a 3.54 geared Dana 60 that'll be going into my '66 C20. So they did put them in from the factory....just a matter of finding one. Or just find a 60 and weld on the proper mounts.

[justcuz]

Norm, my vote is to stay with the 8 lug and do one of two things.

1. Find a Ford Dana 60 or Sterling 3.54 rear end.
Ford put a lot of 354's in truck from the 80's on for emmissions and mileage.
2.For the $1200.00 swapout, I would save a little more, keep the 4.10 HO52 and go with the 700R4.

The early 3 series gears do exist for the HO52 rear end, but probably rare as hens teeth.

The best of all worlds is keep it 3/4 ton (unbreakable drivetrain and biggest brakes), keep the HO52 with 4.10 gears and Detroit Locker, and step up to the 700R4. You have the long tailshaft 350 so a 700R4 is pretty much a bolt in.

Everybody does the 1/2 ton boogie, be different and stay 3/4 ton!
Hell, after seeing the stuff at the Brothers show, I'm thinking of getting rid of my 1/2 ton and buying a 1 ton! More unique...and bomb proof. Cuz.

[justcuz]

Norm, did not see that the rear end was a 4.56 not 4.11.

Now I will alter my recommendation.

Keep the HO52 with 4.56 gears and disc brakes.
Put front discs on the truck.
Save up for that 700R4.

This gives you the best of everything IMO.
3.00 low gear in 700R4 x 4.56 = 13.68 first gear to get the load rollin.
.70 high gear in the 700R4 X 4.56 = 3.192 final drive for highway cruising.
Plus the low gear calculation does not even calculate the torque multiplication from the converter.

This truck would be the best all around with this combo and all you would have to change is the transmission!

Now I've gotta look that guy up in Hemet for that 1961 3/4 ton!

[factorystock]

This HO 52 was used for almost 25 years in chevy 3/4 tons, that is a lot of years and trucks built with this axle. It is hard to believe the aftermarket does not see a profit potential, considering the other items being offered by them.

[64c20crewcab]

OK Y'all here is more stuff on this. Oe of my buds and fellow board member shot me some info bout a 14 bolt loaded with 3.73's from a 3/4 ton (8-lug) 4x4 for sale in a local "recycler" rag.

Well I called the seller and purchased the rearend complete from hub to hub - no brakes for $300 this morn. Will use the 14 bolt disc brakes from my eaton. this rearend been cleanded up and gone through recently for it was to be installed into a 80's suburban.

So looks like I'll be busy this week getting this set up for the install. Wish I could have kept the eaton but no dice. Oh well - I still spent under a grand and thats ok with me. Better mileage and towing ability still intact! Will see how this all works out.

Thanks for the suggestions guys!!