[Oletrucks] Swapping out rear end on '52 GMC 1/2 T

[James Hays]

I have a 55-1st pu that I installed a GM 12 bolt from a 75 1/2 ton pu - 
little stouter than the 10 bolt thinking I may pull my 18 ft boat some day 
if I ever get the pu on the road.

Went well - had posi installed while re-bearing it ( V8 ) - measured old 
axle housing for spring width for new spring / axle brackets . Replaced my 
springs ( one broken ) and all pivot points. Locals wanted close to $300 for 
a new drive shaft / balanced / u-joints. I got a perfect ( Ford Explorer I 
think ) shaft the correct length from a wrecking yard ( was told to push the 
front u-joint all the way into the transmission - measure between the 
u-joint yoke centerlines - subtract 3/4 " & thats the driveshaft length at 
its yoke centerlines ( normal weight on the truck suspension ) - had new 
u-joints installed to match my truck for $125 including driveline. Best to 
take in the driveshaft, front yoke & measured the rear yoke as close as 
possible for u-joint match ( knowing year / model helps but some times more 
than one size )

Hope might help,
Jim


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gale Gorman" <gale_gorman at mac.com>
To: "Bob Keeland" <keelandb at yahoo.com>
Cc: <oletrucks at autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 6:18 PM
Subject: Re: [Oletrucks] Swapping out rear end on '52 GMC 1/2 T


> In a back issue of Auto Restorer there was an article about just that and 
> the recommendation was the GM 10 bolt that is extremely common and 
> durable. They were used in cars, vans, trucks, etc. I haven't checked the 
> numbers but I'm pretty sure that's what I have in my '54.
>
> -- 
> Gale Gorman
> Houston
>
> On Apr 1, 2010, at 6:04 PM, Bob Keeland wrote:
>
> I've heard that the rearend out of a 4x4 Chevy Blazer will work nicely. 
> Anyone
> else know about this?
>
> BobK
> 51 3100 5-window
> 54 3600 in pieces