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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Nevada City, CA
Posts: 908
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AWD on a 55-59?
Of all the ideas I've kicked around for what to do with the Truck next, this is one I maybe like best.
Get an AWD transfer case / trans out of a newer Chevy, bolt in a Dana 44 front axle with drive slugs instead of hubs, adjust rear suspension to match height & have an AWD 1957 longbed with stick axles. Anyone heard of / seen anything like that? I have no idea how i'd expect it to drive. Make me smile, though.
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"Over my head" 1957 Chevy 3200, big rear window & 6 lug. Front disc, power steering, Vortec 4.8 / 4L60E swap, hydro boost brakes & patina. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Motown
Posts: 7,677
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Re: AWD on a 55-59?
do you want it ready for Clay to drive it or not ???
![]() ![]() JUST FINISH THE TRUCK DAD!
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cool, an ogre smiley ![]() how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Nevada City, CA
Posts: 908
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Re: AWD on a 55-59?
Hehehahahahah!
Hah! And Hah again! I'd forgotten about that picture. Man, time flies - he could probably climb up there himself now. I finally got motivated and moved the MC / booster to the firewall. Ugly but practical. Brakes are 2/3 plumbed. Rear axle is leaving a lot of oil in the drum so I might / might not fix it or put a 12 bolt back there some time. AWD can wait - I want to get this back on the road so I can enjoy it before temps hit 100+ around here and I stick to the car with AC.
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"Over my head" 1957 Chevy 3200, big rear window & 6 lug. Front disc, power steering, Vortec 4.8 / 4L60E swap, hydro boost brakes & patina. |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga
Posts: 2,641
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Re: AWD on a 55-59?
Do you know anyone who has a straight axle 4X4? If so, ask them to let you drive it and then see if you still want to do it.
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#5 |
polishing a turd
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: houston, tx
Posts: 674
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Re: AWD on a 55-59?
might not be bad. my DD is a f250 4x4 with a straight axle. drives like a truck!
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Nevada City, CA
Posts: 908
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Re: AWD on a 55-59?
My DD is a 2004 Grand Cherokee, stick axles on both ends but it's a coil sprung suspension with lots of rubber bushings.
Thinking about it, being AWD wouldn't change a lot in terms of handling. It'd still be a pig, but now with more traction.
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"Over my head" 1957 Chevy 3200, big rear window & 6 lug. Front disc, power steering, Vortec 4.8 / 4L60E swap, hydro boost brakes & patina. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Canton, GA
Posts: 196
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Re: AWD on a 55-59?
I've had a few straight axle 4wds and like they way they handle, but I had tweaked the suspension setup for my needs (rock crawling). Time put into the proper spring rate and good shocks goes a long way for handling. If you go this route, you might put a call into deaver springs and have a chat with them about what they can set you up with. Would be money well spent and isn't all that bad to get custom springs.
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