First, there are some differences. Only a 1/4", but hopefully nothing that will do me in. The I beam on a '54 1/2 ton (Chevy)- upon further review- is 1 3/4" wide (across the top) and a 3/4 (GMC) is really 2". The weight is on the springs, and as far as that goes, the only difference is a slightly larger diameter U-bolt. So the half should still fit as long as I use 1/2 ton U-bolts. The springs are the same width, so why not? I figure the slightly larger U-bolts is just 'cause it's a GMC... like it's owner, slightly larger. I only weigh 205, so how do I mean that? ANYWAY! The knuckles are 2" on both, so... The '54 Chevy has a different drag link then the '52 GMC. I've taken the Pitman arm of of the '54 and plan on putting it on my '52 if the splines are the same. Since the nut and the arm are the same shape/size, I've got my fingers crossed. If THAT works, then I'll be a happy camper! I SO wish I wasn't working on a gravel surface, but if it worked for TB'sD, it'll work for me! I hate parkin' all that weight on other than wheels and tires, but, I've jacked up houses before, so a truck ain't - The neat thing about having a rig parked on jacks- your fooling yourself if you don't think God could hand you a wrench, cause he's right there. I'll let you know how the rest goes tomorrow. Right now I must drown my ear drums in "Three Doors Down" followed by who knows what!
Ahh Zig, you now have my envy. I'm actually disappointed when something is a straight bolt on replacement cause it takes the thinking out of the equation. We have a 48 three quarter ton coming up that I'm going to use a 9 inch ford rear in so we can have gear options down into the 2's. Naturally it will have the eight bolt bolt pattern to match the front. Shortening the housing, shortening and resplining the axles, and making the eight bolt flanges is the fun part. Praise be to GM for making the back half of the driveshaft an open unit.
It is fun- (?) Evan- good luck with that. Staying 8???? Ouch and "oh-my!" The reason I'm doing this swap is to get AWAY from the 8! It's kinda' funny in a way- I was dead set on plugging in an eight- now I'm in love with my six. Is it strange that I want six lugs instead of 8? It'll be interesting once I drop the 3/4 GMC axle to see how the pin holes line up- will they? I have my "sledge hammer"... You're right though Evan. Going the less traveled road is cool! If it helps anyone else out there, even better! This may all blow up in my face, but I gotta try!
By the way~ Evan, to have your ability to be able to do what your getting into~ that's way-to-cool! I'm lucky enough to figure out how NOT to skin my knuckles! May the force be with you!
Zig, I'm very fortunate to be in a community of restoration, streetrod, and racing people that really help and share. Between all of us I think we have just about everything ever designed for automotive and machine use. We each have keys and alarm codes to each facility which is almost like a return to frontier times. Even better, not one person has ever abused the priveledge and, I'm always glad when they use mine because they cleanup better than I do. Of course I always super clean anyone elses place but I'm a little lax with my own on occasion. It's nice.
A '54 Chevy 1/2 ton pitman arm fits nicely on a 3/4 GMC box! Allowing me to use the drag link and all the rest from the '54. The beams bolt up perfectly, so I got the 8 lug on the '54 frame and tomorrow it's outa here so I'll have more room to work around my truck. Anyone need a '54 Chevy frame minus trans and cab mounts??? God, it's so nice to finally be WORKING on my truck!
Way to go, Ziggy! I told you it would work. Never underestimate Big Bro! Sounds like you're having fun. And always remember one thing: You'll hit snags, it's gonna happen. Just have fun with with it. You control it, it doesn't control you! Pics, dude, pics!
Good to see you're finally on your way Zig. I can't wait to see pics of the truck and the frame work you're doing. Just remember when in doubt, you've got all of us to help. By the way you mentioned three doors down earlier. Just thought I'd tell you I got to party, and pretty hard, with the lead singer after a Chris Daughtry concert a few months back. He's really a cool dude and I too enjoy their music.
Lucky Dog!!! That would've been a killer night! Yeah, they friggin' rock the house! Kinda like that little band outa' Texas, but in a different, faster kinda' way. I guess SOMEBODIES gotta party with the big dogs! Too cool! I think I'll get off of here in a bit and go crank up my guitar~ with headphones, of course!
Between the few beers I had in the concert and the Jack afterwards with them, before I knew it, the clock said 3am and I still had to work the next day. Needless to say I wasn't very motivated to do much of anything. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't change a thing. It was a very cool night.
The only thing I got that is "close" to that is one night as I was walking back from Navar Beach, in FLA. My buddy who I rode with out there left to go get more beer. (I had a feeling how this would turn out...) So, three hours later, and with my buzz wearing off, I thought maybe I oughta start hoofin' it back to the Pea Patch. (It was only about a 13 mile stroll- oh, and I hadn't worn shoes 'cause I didn't think I"D HAVE TO WALK HOME!!!!) So, I walked. and walked. and walked. Finally, I was within a mile from the base, 'cause I could see the flashing yellow caution light for the front gate. I could hear a car coming up from behind me- it was slowing down. As i was looking forward, I saw this little red car with it's break lights on pulling over to the side. I think, "What the fug?!" I trotted up to it, looked inside, and what did I see? a b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l babe behind the wheel. I happily hopped in, proceeded to tell her how awesome it was that she'd pick me up, and then she suggested _something_. "Oh what a night"... BUT- party with a rock star?/? good times~ good, good times.... Oh- by the way, the axle swap is a good one- no problems atoll! Use the 1/2 ton U-bolts, 'cause the 3/4 GMC bolts are just TOO snug. GOD, it's great to be into this! I get to start pulling fenders and rattling my cans in NO time. I just gotta' install an insert fireplace for my sister-in-law to repay her and her hubby for letting us use their car while the friggin' Jeep was down and out! It should'nt take more than a week, so no problem.
The party you had was most likely more fun than mine. Don't get me wrong I had a great time, but a blonde in a red sports car, no that sounds like a great time.
It wasan un-real night. 19 years old, right on the friggin' beach in the Florida panhandle, and then THAT! She even showed me that the seat went ALL the way back! sigh~ sigh~ It truely IS great that others can take EVERYTHING you own, but NO ONE can take your memories!
Chevy axle in a Gods Mistake Cab? seems a waste of a damn good axle to me! ________ Vaporizer affiliate
