Rear end info.

Truckinman · March 8, 2004

Hi. New to the group. I have a 79 Chevy 3/4 ton (forgot model #), camper special w/ a 350 and I think a 350 auto. This truck has very little traction except under ideal conditions. I want to make a yard truck out of it for my shop, so that I can move other vehicles in and out and spot them in the yard. What would I have to do to make a "stump puller" out of it? I think changing the ratio on the rearend is the way to go, but don't know what to change it to. Any help would be appreciated. If this is feasable, I may want to put an "A" frame and winch on it . It will probably never go on the road again. Thanks for any help.

Truckinman

Joel07 · March 19, 2004

I'm not sure, but I think that truck would have the full floating 14 bolt GM corporate rear end. If you're never gonna drive it on the street, go with the steepest gear you can get, you can probably find a 4.56 pretty easily, but go with the lowest (highest numerically) you can get. Also while you're in there, I thought the 14 bolts were posi from the factory, but if you're spinning that bad, you either need to fix the one in it or put a new unit in. Or do a spool or locker since you're not worried about street worthiness. Those two things should help you out quite a bit, and find some nice knobby tires to get some more traction.

Also, you might want to check, because if it's a camper special, it might have some low gears in it already. Check for a tag, and do some research to find out what gear's in it already. You might just need a posi.

Truckinman · March 23, 2004

Thanks Joel, that gives me a place to start. Don't really know much about the history of this truck, I'm way down the line of owners I think. Will have to wait until the snow melts before I can get into it. Thanks again

snoman · May 30, 2004

I'm not sure, but I think that truck would have the full floating 14 bolt GM corporate rear end. If you're never gonna drive it on the street, go with the steepest gear you can get, you can probably find a 4.56 pretty easily, but go with the lowest (highest numerically) you can get. Also while you're in there, I thought the 14 bolts were posi from the factory, but if you're spinning that bad, you either need to fix the one in it or put a new unit in. Or do a spool or locker since you're not worried about street worthiness. Those two things should help you out quite a bit, and find some nice knobby tires to get some more traction.

Also, you might want to check, because if it's a camper special, it might have some low gears in it already. Check for a tag, and do some research to find out what gear's in it already. You might just need a posi.

A lot of 14 bolt/10.5 ich rear ends did not have posi. A locker is a bad choice and a spool is even worse with big drivabilty issues. When "snow melts" he can dig further into it. If it is a 14 bolt it will be a 3.73 or 4.1. You can get as low as a 5.13 for a 14 bolt 10.5 inch axle.