Rear axle swapping

[Benoist]

I have a Pickup 1958 305 V8 TH700
Rear tires 235/60/15

I want to swap a rear axle from a chevy car to match the bolt bolt pattern

I can get a Caprice 1979 axle (locking rear)

I using the truck on the on the highway 80 - 120 kilometers per hour

Is it a good axle or must i look for a other axle ?? (or is he too wide/gears not good......)
I live in the Nederlands so there are not many parts

thanks

[Nev68]

Originally Posted by Benoist

I have a Pickup 1958 305 V8 TH700
Rear tires 235/60/15

I want to swap a rear axle from a chevy car to match the bolt bolt pattern

I can get a Caprice 1979 axle (locking rear)

I using the truck on the on the highway 80 - 120 kilometers per hour

Is it a good axle or must i look for a other axle ?? (or is he too wide/gears not good......)
I live in the Nederlands so there are not many parts

thanks

What sort of rear end is in the truck now?

[Benoist]

Originally Posted by Nev68

What sort of rear end is in the truck now?

Its is still the original truck rear axle from 1958

[Benoist]

Originally Posted by Benoist

Its is still the original truck rear axle from 1958

sorry it was original a 6cil Truck

[Dan in Pasadena]

Even though it was originally a 6 cylinder truck the rear end may or may not be original.

IF it is the original rear end (you must find out) it was most likely 4.11 or 4.56 final ratio and the Caprice rear end is not that low. It's almost certainly better for highway driving than what you have but you'll have to remove the rear cover on yours and count the ring & pinion gear teeth, and do the math to know for sure.

As for width? Just measure from wheel mounting flange to rear mounting flange on each to see how much wider the Caprice rear is than the one you already have.

[OrrieG]

here is the factory spec chart for rear ends. Ratios vary getting lower as the trucks get bigger.

[Benoist]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

here is the factory spec chart for rear ends. Ratios vary getting lower as the trucks get bigger.

I have the 3.90:1

[Highsider]

And again (probably)...
What does Semi- and Full-Floating types indicate?

[Roadkill58]

You might consider a third gen Camaro rear.

I'm using one in my build.

Ogre has proven his setup on the Power Tours.



.

[Iceburgh]

I think the caprice will be to wide

[_Ogre]

as stated the caprice is too wide, any 82 to 92, 3rd gen camero/firebird/transam rearend is a sure fit
they come in a variety of options for disc/drum, gear ratio (2.73 to 3.73), open or posi
if you choose a 3rd gen check out the tag for gear ratio and also look here

120 kph is only 75 mph, truk has a 3.27 ratio and has no problem cruising ...

[_Ogre]

lots of good info over on http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs&rearend.htm
scroll way down for rearend width info

[1958Warrior]

1970-1979 Camaro, Pontiacs T/As and firebirds , as well as 1980-1992 third gen, Also S-10/ Bravada's 4x4 rear axle will have usually 3.42 gears, and later models have the disc brakes. Don't remember the exact widths but are all pretty close . I want to say
59-1/2"

[Benoist]

Originally Posted by 1958Warrior

1970-1979 Camaro, Pontiacs T/As and firebirds , as well as 1980-1992 third gen, Also S-10/ Bravada's 4x4 rear axle will have usually 3.42 gears, and later models have the disc brakes. Don't remember the exact widths but are all pretty close . I want to say
59-1/2"

All to you thanks for the info
I go next Monday get the axle out of the truck and look for a axle on the junkyard and let you now

[greystoke]

what is everyones opinion on an S10 Blazer rear end, I happen to have a nice one with 3.42 gears, posi and disc brakes. Would it work ok with a stock 5.3/4L60E?

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by greystoke

what is everyones opinion on an S10 Blazer rear end, I happen to have a nice one with 3.42 gears, posi and disc brakes. Would it work ok with a stock 5.3/4L60E?

depends on what your putting it in and what it came out of

[Benoist]

ok a small update

original axle from flank to flank (truck)

157.9 cm



i have a axle from a El Camino 1974

flank to flank 156 cm

and i have the
Cragar smoothie wheels (3135805)
15X8 5/4.75
OS=-6 BS=4.25 CB=3.19

not yet install but i let you now

[55dude]

bolt pattern will be different than front. toyota 4x4 is 6 lug. no chevrolet 1955 newer is 6 lug.

[Benoist]

Originally Posted by 55dude

bolt pattern will be different than front. toyota 4x4 is 6 lug. no chevrolet 1955 newer is 6 lug.

o sorry the frond is a camaro clip