1956 rear end ID

[56 Woody]

Could anyone tell me what the rear end is or should be in a 1956 GMC 100 short bed with 3 speed stick and 316 motor.

[dwcsr]

How about a wider shot so we can see the whole axle. Its a standard axle for that year but I've never seen that axle stiffener before. Was this a lift truck or have a boom on it?

[56 Woody]

This is the widest I have for now. I don't think it had a lift on it but it was an old farm truck. Is this something I should rebuild or get a 9 inch ford.

[dwcsr]

gears and parts for it are hard to get. bearings you can still get. 9" or a 12 bolt or even a 10 bolt will do. The flat plate with the red on it is unusual but it may have been a heavy duty aftermarket addon. Normally the front side of the axle tubes look like the back with out that flat plate.

[56 Woody]

So what you are telling me is find something else to put in such as a ford 9 inch or 68 Nova?

Thanks for your help, I don't know a thing about them.
Bill

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by 56 Woody

So what you are telling me is find something else to put in such as a ford 9 inch or 68 Nova?

Thanks for your help, I don't know a thing about them.
Bill

No not necessarily as long as its working leave it but if you go with a LS or a high HP v8 or something then yes upgrade

[56 Woody]

Thanks, I have a 350 /375 HP going ino I will sell that one and get something else??

[1project2many]

I wouldn't replace it unless it's bad or unless you have a specific reason to. Those old rears could go a long way before failing.

[1project2many]

350/375 shouldn't kill it but there's no posi available and the old diff doesn't like it if you like to vaporize your tires.

[mr48chev]

I ran that same rear end in my 57 panel with a seriously hot 327 in it. No dyno on the engine but with an Engle cam and 12.5 Jahns pistons with 202 heads and an early Corvette 2x4 intake it would pull the wheels on a hard launch. It would stay with 750 Honda street bikes and 500 series Mercedes in stop light to stop light go's. No problem with the rear end but I blew the clutch racing the Mercedes at lunch and my boss heard it blow and sent the wrecker after me. The thing only got 3mpg though.

I don't know what that truss is for but would expect that they carried heavy loads or did some hard driving with it at some time. If it isn't broke I wouldn't be in a rush to fix it but if it needs work I'd go with a 9 inch Ford rear and be done with it. I've decided to put one in my 48 after running Spicer rears for the past 40

[1project2many]

12.5 Jahns pistons

There's a name I haven't heard in years!

[56 Woody]

Thank you for the story and advice. It is a little rattley if you rotate the gears so need some work. I guess it time to look for the Ford 9.

Thanks Again you guys are GREAT!!!