I am considering installing a new 3.55:1 ring and pinion from patricks has any body done so and how difficult is it for a weekend half ass mechanic.And will it give me the option to drive on the freeway. right now i can go about 55 and shes screaming.Is there any thing else that i will need to do. I now have a 3 speed on the floor with granny low.It has a 235 ingine and a closed in drive shaft and thank you for any information that you can provide.
A guy down the street from me did the "Patrick's" 3.55:1 upgrade and just raves on and on about how it is the best thing he ever did for his truck. He did it himself. I don't know really what kind of a mechanic he is as I don't know him all that well, but I think he is like us. Weekend mechanic with some skills and lots of nerve. After listening to him rave on about it, I am considering it myself. My truck is JUST on the road this week after nearly two years of refurbishing and I am nervous about taking it to any kind of speed due to the high revving as well. I am interested in other responses as well. BTW, Patrick himself and his company give the BEST customer support. They know a lot and really want to help. If you have a problem or question, it's not hard to get Patrick on the phone. Andy
thanks for your responce and i am also waiting to hear from others on this idea.I did ask my neibor he is a pretty good mechanic and he said that it takes special tools and a lot of know how.So l dont know if i want to tackle it yet mabee ask your neibor how easy or hard d
My neighbor said it was relatively easy. Patrick has all the special tools from what I understand. My neighbor also said that he was on the phone with Patrick himself several times while doing the conversion and he was very helpful. I haven't done a rear end ever although I have done lots of wrenching. My neighbor says he will help me do it. I also have a very good patient in my practice that is a certified top notch mechanic for a multi-make new car dealership and he wants to help me do it as well. Think I will tap into everyone's brains for htis one. I know that there is a trick to popping out the collar (?) at the end of the torque tube that involves a plumbing pipe with a pipe cap on it. My neighbor beat the heck out of it and it wouldn't go. Then he called Patrick who told him that the cap he was using was too big around. After grinding down the cap to the proper diameter it only took a little tap to get it out. All in all, I think I am going to have others do the deed while I watch, help and learn from this one. Still interested in hearing from others on this as well. I had toyed with the idea of using a powerglide torque tube rear (3.55:1 ratio) from a 50's Chevy car, but it doesn't fit in the AD trucks. I had a really nice one, but gave it up after taking the measurements. That particular swap works in the earlier trucks, I am told. Andy
Ron, not to worry! The conversion has been done a gazillion times! Besides, you've got tech support here with us and multitudes of info available to you. As far as special tools, you don't need them. Nate and Evan can tell you what to use in lieu of the special tool that GM made (and sold to dealers, mechanics, etc) to get the job done. Here's a primer that I've had rat-holed forever that might give you either the confidence to tackle the job or fuel your need for more info. www.stovebolt.com/techtips/rear_end/index.html We can do this!
Left Lane gears Ron, I did the 355 gear switch on my 54 a couple of years ago with the help of one of my very good mechanical friends. it is straightforward, and very much worth the effort. Driving at 60-65 is effortless now with my 235 and 355 gears. Lots of support here and from Patrick. Jim
thanks for the link ken and chiro i probably will try tackling it and i need to als o do my clutch so as soon as the funds permit i will be starting
