Removing a rear end

[ryans69chevy]

I'm going to an old farm to check out some rear ends for my 49 3100. I'm wondering what the best way to remove would be. I'm planning on taking the rear end, drive shaft, and the torque tube. I kinda have an idea of how I'm going to do it, but idk if there are any tricks or surprises. I'm mostly worried about supporting the frame for when the rear end comes off. Is wood sufficient enough? It's gonna have to be something that I can just leave out there, cuz I'm not buying the whole truck. Whatever I put under the frame, I need to put ahead of the rear wheels so when the rear end detaches from the frame I can just slide it back. Is this correct? And I suppose it would be safer to unbolt the driveshaft from the tranny first, so I wouldn't have to crawl under there when the frame is sitting on something other than the rear end.

Thanks for advice!

[mknittle]

mine was sitting on scrap big truck brake drums for a while. just get what ever yuu use back as far as you can

[dwcsr]

I use old rims to prop up the frame on dirt or gravel.

[Daze57]

rims are a good idea - the lip of the rim will help keep the truck from rollin.

do.............you have a pair of short metal ramps that you can use to help get it it up off the ground?

[ryans69chevy]

No, I will prob use a jack to prop it up and then put something under it to hoist it.

[Coupeguy2001]

bring jack stands for when you are under it, and then use bricks under it when you leave. after all, those thousands of people who steal wheels can't be wrong.

[mr48chev]

What ever you do put something solid that won't tip over under it before you start dragging the rear end out from under it. rims or a couple good sized firewood rounds on end are usually stable on dirt but jack stands don't work on dirt or asphalt unless you have something solid under them.

My buddy gave me a pair of these years ago and one or both usually go under a vehicle when I am working under it out in the yard. Look closely and you can see that they are welded together.

The local wrecking yards all use this setup to hold up cars in the yard and they are about as stable as anything on soft or suspect ground. You have to lift the rig up a bit higher to get them under the frame but it will be solid when you are done.

[ryans69chevy]

Oh, nice! Thanks for the suggestions! I actually just found one good rear end, but the wheels were already off it so I couldn't even jack the truck up...I guess the truck is in crappy shape to the guy that owns it. He said he is gonna sell it to the scrap yard which sticks, but hopefully he calls me when he knows for sure. I told him once they get pulled out and on solid ground or a trailer I would prob take the rear end if the price is right. At least I bought a nice solid hood!