Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LaterMater · 07-19-2009, 10:55 AM

Hello Folks,

I am new to this site and new to old trucks. I have a 1956 GMC 250 that was converted into a tow truck back in the day. It has what I believe to be an Eaton HO52 rearend based on looking at what I could find last night on the internet. What is the most highway friendly gear set available for this unit? It has what I believe to be a 5:14 in it currently.

Thanks for the help,

LaterMater

Fred T · 07-19-2009, 11:39 AM

The 4.10 gearing is the best gearing you will find available. I have been that there were a few made with 3.73 and 3.90 gears, but have never seen them. The most available gears are 4.56.

I put 4.10 gears and 31" tires on my 52. 60 mph is about 2700 rpm.

54blackhornet · 07-19-2009, 07:05 PM

Can you post a picture of your 250, I have a 50 GMC 250 I am just getting started on. Thanks

LaterMater · 07-19-2009, 09:17 PM

Thanks Fred and 54blackhornet. That confirms what I heard, that 4:10 was the best I would be able to readily find.

I would love to post a picture. Can you tell me the best way to do it. I looked at attachments, and that did not look favorable as the max size was pretty small for the file. The other is to post via http. Do I need a photo hosting site like photobucket? Thanks,

Steve

Fred T · 07-19-2009, 11:00 PM

For posting photos
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=209103

54blackhornet · 07-21-2009, 06:36 PM

Thanks Fred for the info on posting photos, I have tryed in the past a failed!
To big file size i guess.:gmc2

LaterMater · 07-22-2009, 08:38 PM

Let's see if my picture shows up. It is 141k, and I cannot seem to reduce it below 100k without losing the picture.

LaterMater · 07-22-2009, 08:42 PM

It worked !!! This truck came out of Colorado Springs EXACTLY as seen in this picture with the exception of the front rims and tires. 1956 GMC 250 with later fleetside bed and wrecker unit. I asked the guy if he had seen the CARS movie and he had never heard of it. So this is Mater. My son loves riding in this truck. I made a custom aircleaner high rise to look like Mater's aircleaner, and am moving the battery tray off of the firewall to make it look like the animated truck. Next will be some overspray paint and hand lettering on the doors to make it look like Mater.

Bigblue29 · 07-23-2009, 08:43 AM

That truck is awesome!

entourageguy · 07-23-2009, 09:23 AM

Name: tow mater.jpg
Views: 700
Size: 60.2 KB

This the guy your talkin' about ??

mike in mo · 07-23-2009, 09:46 AM

the 3.90 gears are out there i have seen 2 sets now they only come as a option in the 396/400 turbo 3/4 ton with a/c in 69. thats a sweet lookin rig you got there. are the wheels 16 or 18 inch?

LaterMater · 07-23-2009, 03:55 PM

Thanks guys !! That is great information to know about the 3:90. If anyone sees one of those for sale, let me know. I also have a Hone-O-Drive which is an after market stand-alone Over Drive unit from the 60's that I could put in there to get better highway gearing, but I would prefer to do it just with a ring and pinion change. The Hone-O-Drive has a 30% reduction. The rims on the truck are 19.5's.

07-19-2009, 10:55 AM	#1
LaterMater Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Flint MI Posts: 26	Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question Hello Folks, I am new to this site and new to old trucks. I have a 1956 GMC 250 that was converted into a tow truck back in the day. It has what I believe to be an Eaton HO52 rearend based on looking at what I could find last night on the internet. What is the most highway friendly gear set available for this unit? It has what I believe to be a 5:14 in it currently. Thanks for the help, LaterMater

07-19-2009, 11:39 AM	#2
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question The 4.10 gearing is the best gearing you will find available. I have been that there were a few made with 3.73 and 3.90 gears, but have never seen them. The most available gears are 4.56. I put 4.10 gears and 31" tires on my 52. 60 mph is about 2700 rpm. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

07-19-2009, 07:05 PM	#3
54blackhornet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 2,262	Re: Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question Can you post a picture of your 250, I have a 50 GMC 250 I am just getting started on. Thanks

07-19-2009, 09:17 PM	#4
LaterMater Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Flint MI Posts: 26	Re: Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question Thanks Fred and 54blackhornet. That confirms what I heard, that 4:10 was the best I would be able to readily find. I would love to post a picture. Can you tell me the best way to do it. I looked at attachments, and that did not look favorable as the max size was pretty small for the file. The other is to post via http. Do I need a photo hosting site like photobucket? Thanks, Steve

07-19-2009, 11:00 PM	#5
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question For posting photos http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=209103 __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

07-21-2009, 06:36 PM	#6
54blackhornet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 2,262	Re: Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question Thanks Fred for the info on posting photos, I have tryed in the past a failed! To big file size i guess.:gmc2

07-22-2009, 08:38 PM	#7
LaterMater Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Flint MI Posts: 26	Re: Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question Let's see if my picture shows up. It is 141k, and I cannot seem to reduce it below 100k without losing the picture. Attached Images

07-22-2009, 08:42 PM	#8
LaterMater Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Flint MI Posts: 26	Re: Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question It worked !!! This truck came out of Colorado Springs EXACTLY as seen in this picture with the exception of the front rims and tires. 1956 GMC 250 with later fleetside bed and wrecker unit. I asked the guy if he had seen the CARS movie and he had never heard of it. So this is Mater. My son loves riding in this truck. I made a custom aircleaner high rise to look like Mater's aircleaner, and am moving the battery tray off of the firewall to make it look like the animated truck. Next will be some overspray paint and hand lettering on the doors to make it look like Mater. Last edited by LaterMater; 07-23-2009 at 03:57 PM.

07-23-2009, 08:43 AM	#9
Bigblue29 Thanks 'til you're better paid Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 257	Re: Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question That truck is awesome! __________________ -Luke 1950 Chevy AD 3100 pickup 2000 GMC Sierra 1970 Jeepster Commando

07-23-2009, 09:23 AM	#10
entourageguy Yellow truck club Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Barrie Ontario Posts: 2,080	Re: Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question This the guy your talkin' about ?? __________________ ................................................................ Brian ...... My hub garage address http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/59apache I gue$$ everything has it'$ price ALL GONE NOW *59 Chev Apache* *PRAISE THE LOWERED* 350 700r lokar shifter power MII front end, shockwaves tilt, 4 wheel discs 4-link and bags 10 bolt limited

07-23-2009, 09:46 AM	#11
mike in mo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: centralia missouri Posts: 122	Re: Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question the 3.90 gears are out there i have seen 2 sets now they only come as a option in the 396/400 turbo 3/4 ton with a/c in 69. thats a sweet lookin rig you got there. are the wheels 16 or 18 inch?

07-23-2009, 03:55 PM	#12
LaterMater Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Flint MI Posts: 26	Re: Eaton HO52 Dually Rearend Question Thanks guys !! That is great information to know about the 3:90. If anyone sees one of those for sale, let me know. I also have a Hone-O-Drive which is an after market stand-alone Over Drive unit from the 60's that I could put in there to get better highway gearing, but I would prefer to do it just with a ring and pinion change. The Hone-O-Drive has a 30% reduction. The rims on the truck are 19.5's. Last edited by LaterMater; 07-23-2009 at 03:56 PM.



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