Rear end swap on a 1950 3/4 ton Chevy truck

I want to do a complete rear axle swap on a 1950 3/4 ton chevy pickup truck with a 8 lug nut wheel. I don't really want to deal with welding, so I would like to know if anyone knows of any vehicle that has the same rear axle as this truck so that I can just swap them out.

thank you

 

Welcome Aboard, 1-1-15, Enjoy the ride while here.

Depends on what your needs are. You going to keep it a 3/4 T or go with the 6 or 5 lug designs?

 

Welcome! But we need pictures before we give advice.
Actually, I remember thinking about gear improvement and having Nate mention a pumpkin swap for these back ends. You keep all the hard to find brake stuff, but get your rig to go faster.
Personally, changing to a 1/2 ton axle, going with disc brakes up front and a newer/better geared rear is a much better way to go.
You can go 5 or 6 lug. Wide open options. 6 lug route lets you keep the original 6 lug wheel/bolt pattern, but most people could guess that 6 lug was not "original".
Good luck, Happy New Year, and how 'bout some pictures?

 

1967 ~ 1972 G and P Series 3/4 ton Vans with Automatic trannies have drop in Pumpkins .

Getting harder to find now but I still see them in Junk Yards , always being crushed with the pumpkins in place , no one ever wants to touch those filthy stinky old rigs .

 

Id rather keep it a 3/4 ton because we use it for some farm work. I just want to make it go faster so we can drive a decent speed on the road. Right now top speed is at about 35 mph. i heard that a dana 60 series axle from a 3/4 ton dodge truck ( don't know the year) will bolt into the 1950 chevy. If anyone could verify this that would be great.

 

A '78 410 should just slip right into it.

 

Pumpkin Swapping

The general Junkyard rule of thumb is :

If the bolt pattern & count matches and the spline count on the axle ends matches your spider gears , you're good to go .

Remember : Dodges used our Muncie trannies too for may years .

 

I know that 3/4T up through 72 is a direct pumpkin swap out, don't know about other years and brands. We used to look for one with a big block 396 or 402 and automatic as they would often have a shallower rear end.