I have a 57 stepside body on a 74 1/2 ton frame. The rearend that is on it now is a few inches too wide. I have to raise the bed off the frame so the outside of the tires won't rub on the outside of the fender wells. I have the factory GMC wheels for a 74. I'm 58" from inside to inside on the drum housing. I have a 4" gap from the back of the drum housing to the leafspring. I'm looking for a compatible rearend that is approx. 54" wide and has a gear ratio in the lower 3's for freeway driving. My 454 and turbo 400 have to work too hard to get my truck up to 60mph. I was hoping to find something close so I can use the same driveline. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks AUTOM8
Hi AutoM, Check out a Nova or Camaro rear for fit. Seems to me that a lot of folks use those in your year truck because of the fit. Lotsa Luck, Dennis
I had the same problem the first time I tried putting a mid 70's rearend in. I have my truck of a 72 frame and the wheels are closer together. I'm not sure if there were any trucks in that body style that had leaves in the back to make an easy instalation.
Take a trip to the boneyard and measure a Chevelle rearend. I have one in my 52. It is the exact width as the old one. Don't know if they narrowed the rearend in 57 or not. Also check out an early Blazer. phantom
