I have a 1960 Chevy w/ a 283 4-spd. I recently rebuilt the rear end as the bearing were beyond shot. I saw that there was a new ring gear set that gave you a higher gearing (3.28:1 I think?) than the stock 3.73:1. Is this worth the $400 price tag? IE, can these older trucks handle doing 65 and 70 mph w/o rattling apart or worries of stopping?
Properly maintained, and with the right gears, the trucks can cruise just like modern vehicles. The problem is you have the granny gear tranny- meaning first gear is so low it's useless for anything but pulling boats up steep ramps. Your ratio is 1:1 in fourth. The gear you mention is a good solution on limited funds. It will help you cruise at lower rpm and will compensate a bit for the useless low first gear. August Custom Classic Trucks has a good tranny swap article...also available at their website I believe. Update your brakes!
Yeah, figured the brakes would need booster/disc/something to stop the vehicle. Prior to dissassmebly of the truck that "Stump-pulling gear" as my grandfather called it did just as the name suggested...even with a poorly running engine. I won't really need it after the restore though, I hope . Thanks for the info.
