Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train '39 rear ratio

Any way to change the rear ratio in a '39 truck and still keep the torque tube? Torque tubes from AD's are too wide so I guess my only option is to change the ring and pinion.

I used a 54 passenger car 3:55 rear in my 46 half ton many years back worked sweet. Width is right, you'll have to move spring mountings over a bit and adjust fore and aft to keep it all centered in the wheel well. I wanted to stay 6 lug so stuck the 54 tube in a 48 passenger axle housing. I think I also used a lowering block as passenger car mount to spring is much different.

You might give Patrick's a call.

Trucks are there main thing over there.

Good luck, John M., #3370..

John H. - I did call Patricks; his 3.55 and 3.38 kits are for 1940 and later. Apparently theres not much you can do with a '39.
HiTork - Are you saying you used the axles out of a 54 truck in a 48 passenger? I imagine the axles would have to be shortened. I would also like to stay with the 6 lugs. I'm a little confused on your application.

No, I'm saying my 1946 half ton pickup, then use a complete 54 or earlier PASSENGER, torque tube assemby. The passenger rear end is the only 3:55 ratio torque tube around and now getting difficult to find. Now, non of these individual passenger pieces will fit in your truck axle/torque tube so you'll need to swap the entire unit including rear end. I wanted to have 6 lug wheels so I took this 54 torque tube, tossed the 54 axle assy (5lug) and installed into a 48 chev passenger rear end (6lug). This intire unti went under my 46 half ton pickup. I didn't have to shorten axles or anything except modify the passenger mounts to fit the trucks rear springs. The pivot/mount with a torque tube rear end is critical, needs to flex and must not be made solid like an open drive line. Difficult part now days is locating the 51 to 54 torque tube from a powerglide equiped car for the 3:55 ratio. This is realy not a difficult job, no more so than going open drive line. Best of luck.

Also you could find a 40 truck rear end and then use Patricks gears. Can there be much overall length/width changes from 39 to 40?

HiTorque - Got ya. I like the idea ok looking for a 40 rear. Probably more expensive after Partick gets done with you but less fab work. Thanks for the ideas.

Hey gaffbro . . .

There's a complete 3.55:1 Power Glide rear end on ebay if your still lookin:
3.55 from a \'54 Passenger
looks really clean!

happy hunting . . .
stock49

Thanks Stock - Decided to omit the torque tube and use a T5 with OD and a 3.90 open shaft rear end.