55 chevy truck rear end swap.

I aquired a 55 chevy 1/2 ton truck and plan on customizing it. I am going to swap the front suspension with an aftermarket mustang II type I.F.S. with disc brakes. My dilemma is that I don't know if I should use Chevy or Ford 5 lug disc's. This is because I don't know what 5 lug axle rear ends, Chevy or Ford will work. Could someone tell me what vehicle/s would make good donor/s? I heard that a 71 t-bird will work, but I would rather stay with chevy components if possible. Also, not being that familliar with what I'm trying to accomplish here, I was told that the existing differential in this truck is from a 78 camaro. Is it possible to just swap the 6 lug axles with some 5 lug axles? Any and all information is appreciated. Thanks!  

If the rear end in your truck has 6 lugs then it's not a camaro rear.
When you purchase the Mustang front suspension most companies will give you a choice of Ford or Chevy bolt pattern.
http://www.southernrods.com/categories/chassis-and-suspension/front-end-ifs/products/product-1875.html
If you go with the Ford then you use the Ford 9" differential was last produced for passenger cars in 1981 and in pickup trucks in 1986.
If you go with the Chevy then I would look for a Camaro disk brake rear-end I think they started as an option around 1984.
You will need to cut off the coil spring brackets and clean it up a bit but you will end up with 4 wheel disc brakes.
You’re also going to need a new master cylinder and power brake booster.

Cadman  

I would like to know more about the rear wheel disc brakes. Is that a kit that you could by or does it come factory?

56GMCRat  

It all started in 1968 with some Camaro Z/28s they had dealer-installed rear disc brakes adapted  from the Corvette.
Then in 1969 4-wheel disc brakes could be factory-ordered as options on the Z/28 and SS.
The 1989 1LE SCCA version also had 4 wheel disc brakes.
In 1998 the Camaro received a new 4-wheel disc(ABS)anti-lock brake system.
Later model Camaros have 4 wheel disks also but you might want to look for the earlier ons that has leaf springs.

Cadman  

Thanks for the info Cadman.
With your help I was able to do some investigating into what camaro rear end will work best for my application. I read some other forums and found that the 2nd generation rear end (68 to 81) is a stronger rear end than the 3rd generation (82 to 92). Also that the disc brakes on the 82 to 92 can be a bit if a pain to adjust properly. I got additional information from Classis Parts Products, they have helpfull tech info. They have an aftermarket rear disc brake kit that will work with both generation rear ends. For your information 56GMCRAT, there web site is classicperform.com, they have rear disc brake kits at around $375. I think at this point I will try a second generation camaro rear end with an after market disc kit. Anyone know of any forseeable problems with this? Also, I was going to get a posi rear end, but not sure what ratio differential to use. I won't be racing the truck but would like some good pick up but decent gas mileage as I will be doing alot of cruising. Thanks.  

I did this swap but without discs or posi. "73-77 Monte Carlo, 4-3/4' bolt pattern.Fits nice. Auburn gear could have the posi unit but with cone drives and not plate clutches[the noisy ones]. Don't know about disc brake setups though.  

I have a 55 chev pickup, and want to do the rear end swap as well. The stock axle is 62 inches from hub to hub, and I would like to use the camaro or Monte Carlo rear, but I think a 60 inch wheel would allow for better wide wheel options if the the bed is tubbed. Does anyone know a site where the spec hub to hub dimension is provided for all the potential 10 bolt rear ends?  

I have a 55 chev pickup, and want to do the rear end swap as well. The stock axle is 62 inches from hub to hub, and I would like to use the camaro or Monte Carlo rear, but I think a 60 inch width would allow for better wide wheel options if the the bed is tubbed. Does anyone know a site where the spec hub to hub dimension is provided for all the potential 10 bolt rear ends?  

I did a little research and found out that the 1998 to 2003 Blazers all had rear disc brakes. The 4X4 rears are wider then the 2X4's. The 4WD has the discs and is a 8.8  posi. It's just the right width.
almost a bolt in!

Cadman  

Cadman:
I did a little research and found out that the 1998 to 2003 Blazers all had rear disc brakes. The 4X4 rears are wider then the 2X4's. The 4WD has the discs and is a 8.8  posi. It's just the right width.
almost a bolt in!

Cadman

Hey Cadman,

Are we talkin about the full size 1998 to 2003 Blazers or the S10 size?  Lookin to swap the rear end on my 55 2nd and want to get the right one.

Anyone else have any ideas or suggestions on a rear end with disc and good gearing?  

A friend of min has one out of a 2003 trailblazer (S10 type) in his 2nd 55 chevy pu it came out of the 2 wheel drive blazer. The aftermarket rims he has are real close to the bed. I am currently installing a 12 bolt 6 lug rear in Frances out of an 83 gmc 4X4 pickup. It is going to be a bolt in job with little modification to the new rearend. The gear ratio from turning the hub and counting the drive shaft revolutions is about 3:07 -3:08 I don't know exactly what was offered that year. I need the higher gears because I drive down rt 95 every day.

My 2" original springs are 39 1/2 inches apart and the new rearend had 2 1/2 inch springs so I plan to drill through the pad. The new rear is also about an inch wider than the original with 2 1/2 inch brake pads instead of the original 2".







Cadman  

Almost done







I just need to add a hanger for the brake lines and run some new ones. I also need to put the shocks back on. I drove it around today and it seems to be fine.

Cadman  

CADMAN.  Did you have any problems with the width of the rear end.  I am about to do the same exact thing, I just wanted to make sure the width was not a problem.  

His rearend is 1 inch wider than standard, this is no big deal especially if you are using after market rims. I've used a mid 80's pontiac Trans am disc brake rearend, they are a  little small in the pumpkin area,but I am using the whole running gear, the motor is a 305 TPI, plus I also used the mastercyclinder, which is very advisable so you get you braking ratios right. You will have to remove the factory brackets from the Pontiac and weld on the spring saddle type.  

Yes my new rear end is only slightly wider. I have just installed the power booster and master from CPP. in the original location. I had installed the disk brakes almost a year ago and had kept running the original master so it was time... I had a couple of small problems with the install.


Like ..Wrong size line bolts but no big deal a quick trip to the auto parts store.

The New Master and booster went in fine




Even if it came with the wrong directions.....Mine is a GMC



Some of the pictures are at:
http://www.neflnewhomes.com/cpp/

Cadman