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

[Mac Kinghorn]

Morning All

In regards to the attached request I have swapped out the rearend in my 52. 
I bought a mounting kit from one of the suppliers, can't remember who now, 
that used the original springs and used the rearend out of a 67 Chev 1/2 
ton.  It came with 3:73 gears which I changed to 3:08 when I rebuilt it.  I 
used the backing plates from the original rearend and this allowed the 
original E-brake cables to be used, which made setup that much easier.

The rearends are the same width backing plate to backing plate and with the 
205X75 - 15 tires I run about 2400 rpm at 60 mph.

While you have the rearend out take the springs in and have the eyes cleaned 
up and new busings installed.  It would also be wise to replace the front 
spring bolt and rear spring shackles.

I am quite happy with this set up and have had it in place for quite a 
number of years now.

The other issue in this swap is that you will have to change out the 
transmission, as you will need a open drive shaft output shaft.  I used a 55 
Chev car 3 speed.

There is one change you will have to make and that is to rotate the low 
reverse gear selector shaft in the shift fork.  To accomplish this you will 
have to take the sidecover off the transmission, remove the gear selector 
and shaft from the cover.  Take the shift fork off of the shaft, rotate the 
shaft 180' then weld the shift fork back on to the shaft, then reassemble 
the transmission.  When you mount the new trans to the bell housing you will 
need to use two bolts and nuts in place of the original bottom mount bolts 
on the transmission.  The original top bolts will work.  Your speedometer 
cable should match the fitting on the new transmission and hook right up. 
When this is done the orignal 3 speed shifter and linkage will operate the 
transmission as the General designed it.

For the drive shaft I used the one from the 55 Chev car and had it retubbed. 
The U-joint plates are the right ones for both the transmission and the rear 
end.

Hope this helps.

Mac Kinghorn
52 Chev 1300 (Canadian 3100)
61 C-10 Apache Fleet Side Short Box
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry and Phyllis Charles" <jpchas at att.net>
To: <oletrucks at autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 7:55 PM
Subject: [Oletrucks] Swapping out rear end on '52 GMC 1/2 T


> Gentlemen,
>
>
>
> I want to swap out my 411 tube shaft for something that will handle 60 mph
> better.  I want to know what axle anybody swapped out.  The measurements
> between the inside plates is 56.
>
>
>
> I need 6 lug with a 3:08 to 3:72 gear ratio.  What year and type of axles 
> is
> everybody using?
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> Jerry Charles
>
> 52 GMC = Ton
>
>
>
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