Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train S10 Tranny & Rear Ratios

I'm in process of building a 51 Chev sedan with a warmed 235. I just picked up a 87 S10 5 speed with a 3.76 1st gear with mechanical speedo output & the 0.72 overdrive gear. The bone yard has avaiable the following S10 4X4 Rears: 3:08, 3.42, 3.73, & 4:11, all from the 1983 thru 1993 years. I'm thinking of the 3.73 rear. I'd like to drive around town as well as cruise the highway at 65 mph. Car will be dropped a bit. Can anyone advise good rear ratio choice? Thanks, Sherman

I think you're right on with the 3.73 ratio. Just wondered what you had to modify, crossmember wise to fit the T-5. I'm thinking about this for my 47 coupe but don't want to start chopping up the crossmember.

I'm in process of gathering parts for the swap. I know the x-member will need to be cut (per Buffalo Steve). I really don't want to cut, but I could not find out any definite info about a bolt in swap. I think the only bolt in is the original tranny (you could get a PG rear with 3:55 gears for better road performance). You might want to investigate a latter 3 speed (66 or latter for full syncro I believe) behind a 48-53 truck bellhousing (per Patrick). Bellhousing will maintain the rear engine mounts & will permit the bolt up of the latter 3 speed. I don't know about the x-member arrangement for this. You still will not have the OD gear (only way to go per Langdon). Nothing easy with these early Chev's. Sherman