57 Rear axle swap
I just bought a 57 truck and trying to find out what 5 lug axle would be good swap for it? This truck will have a LS swap in it. Any advice would be great!
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Re: 57 Rear axle swap
There are a number of decent choices and the guys will no doubt throw out their favorites and the reasoning for each.
You are looking at four main factors, Width , lug bolt pattern, strength and cost. Width and strength being the main ones. Some times it doesn't pay to buy what looks like a bargain rear axle if you then have to change gears to get the ratio you want, add a posi or locker because you want one, add disk brakes because you feel you need them with the LS or have it narrowed or have the lug bolt patterned because it doesn't fit the bolt pattern you have. If you are staying six lug there are a couple of Chevy Colorado rears that are the right width (they come in at least three widths depending on the exact model and trim of the truck) have six lugs. have the desired gear ratio an usually have disk brakes. The buy in is a bit spendy as they are pretty new but you don't have to change things and spend more money. Ford Explorer rears are real popular and the later ones have disks. Strong and not spendy but you have the 5 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern. Ford nine inch are as strong as all get out and popular but those usually require the mods to get them where you want an you can expend to spend far more changing them around than you paid for the rear. Not sure if you are a civilian at Killeen or stationed at FT Hood. I was at Ft Hood, in 1969, met my wife in Belton and lived in McGregor for the first 8 years after we got married before moving back up here. |
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Re: 57 Rear axle swap
i have a 3rd gen trans am rear end, the 1986 axle is 61'' wide and came with a borg warner 7.75 inch and 3.27 gear and disc brakes
the borg warner 7.75 is supposed to be pretty tough, i know it will the spin tires as long as i stay on the go pedal :D the 3.27 ratio also gets me 20 mpg on the highway with the 700r4 and ramjet 350 i used the sway bar and torque arm that came with the rear axle mounted flipped on stock springs the sway bar makes truk handle like a go cart :D and the torque arm eliminates axle wrap with wide tires it is pretty tight, but i have never rubbed a tire on the fenders 3rd gen camaro is the same width but has drum brakes and corporate gear ratios from 3.08 to 4.10 |
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I switched to a Ford 8.8 with limited slip and 3.73’s to match my C4 Corvette IFS.
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Caprice rearends are 61-62 inches, but usually geared pretty high. 4wd S10 are always popular. Colorado 4wd are a good choice if you want 6 lugs.
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i don't have any pics on this laptop read my build thread, lots of pics there |
Re: 57 Rear axle swap
In my '58, I used a S10 Blazer 4x4 ZR2 rear. GM 8.5" (most are 8.625", but not mine). It has the correct Chevy bolt pattern, Disc Brakes and the width worked out really well with C2 Corvette Rallyes and 205/70R15 tires. It has 3.73 gears, which may not be ideal for some uses.
It is working well, I'm currently workout out a solution for the parking brake. |
Re: 57 Rear axle swap
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I went with a Currie 9" with limited slip and No Limit fat bar suspension with air bags .
I also went with No Limit wide ride front suspension with power steering and air bags . I also went with a 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern. |
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Some Chevy widths
Outside Width Year Model 58.00 1978-1988 Chevy Malibu, Monte Carlo 60.00 1955-1964 Chevy Car 60.00 1967-1969 Camaro 60.25 1968-1979 Chevy II/Nova 60.50 1964-1967 Chevelle 62.00 1955-1959 Chevy Pickup 62.50 1970-1981 Camaro/Firebird |
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Guess it depends what LS and HP too :) |
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unfortunately driving the 09 sierra, not in my 58 :( moving over to daytona next tues, found a cheap rental over there |
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Welcome to come if suits I can grab some steaks. We can also put that 09 engine in my 57 whilst your here. 2 birds ..... :) |
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If I recall back to 2010 I thought Rob at NoLimit said it was 60". I now have to question the width after looking at NoLimit's site . It might be 61" |
Re: 57 Rear axle swap
One of the most popular choices is the 2nd gen Camaro/TA, 8.5", 10 bolt rear. The 8.5" is a strong unit and track width is right for 55 - 59 trucks. Mine is a factory posi and is in the shop being freshened up for my 59 GMC.
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Re: 57 Rear axle swap
Does anybody know what axle has the 5 x 4.75 lug pattern that will work? I can get a good deal on a set of wheels for this pattern.
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Camaro/TA has 4.75"
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Some of the full size GMs would be 5 X 5. |
Re: 57 Rear axle swap
check the offset and width of these good deal wheels
need 4-5'' on a 8'' rim for a 60'' axle to fit under the rear fenders |
Re: 57 Rear axle swap
I used a dana 44 out of a 75 CJ5 jeep ($100 bucks). I put disc brakes on using Suzuki samari front rotors and Lincoln continental calipers. Might have $300 in it total. It is good for tires up to 18.5 wide that do not rub on the outer wheel well. You will need to make tubs for the inner wheel well. I made a 4 link set up but you can use the front spring hangers and put the springs inline under the frame rails to be able to use it on the cheap. The pic is with 15.5 wide tires
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../59_rear_2.jpg |
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