Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train Which rear axle

I apologize if you already covered this one a few dozen times, but I'm new and on the front portion of the learning curve. I have decided to replace the engine and transmission in my 1935 Chevy standard 3W coupe. I will use a late fifties 235 along with a BW T-5 transmission. I need advice on a rear axle and a driveshaft. I'm looking for as near a "bolt in" as I can find. I plan to use my original wheels. I am particularly interested in hearing from someone who has done pretty much this same thing. Thanks, leiba1

Back in the early 70's I put a '56 Chevy 235 in my 40 Chevy Coupe. I used the 56 Chevy rear, and the transmission was from a full size 62 Chevy if I remember right. I never did switch the front hubs so I had 6 lugs on the front and 5 lugs on the rear. I seem to remember the dowel pins in the stock 40 springs were further forward, but I don't remember how I dealt with that. It may have been as simple as re-drilling the mounting pads, or I may have made a plate that located on the original dowel with a new dowel in the right location to center the rear.

Thanks VStock, I would have thought that the 56 Chevy rear would have been a bit to wide but maybe not. I'll try to find the actual dimensions of that unit. Thanks again

Does your '35 have the 5 lug wheels? If so a good bolt pattern candidate would be a rear end from a '65 or so Dodge Dart or Plymouth Valiant/Barracuda. If it has 6 lug wheels an ideal rear would be a Dana 44 from a '80s(?) Jeep Grand Cherokee, good width and probably a posi.

33-36 Chevy cars use a 5 on 4 1/4" pattern.

i OWNED A 34 THAT WAS 6 BOLT. Iremember switching my 48 wheels to it so I could drive it. I couldn,t afford 2 sets of used tires. 1 OL REDNECK I.I.#113

http://www.rallyamerica.com/usedwheels/chevy.html

Apparently they used both for a few years.

1935 Standard would be 5 on 4 1/4".

I think your probally right. I seem to remember my dad telling me standard was 1 way & masters the other. ALTHOUGH I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH WAY IT WAS. 1 OL REDNECK I.I. #113

The '35 Standard used 5 lugs, all the Master series cars used 6 lugs, on up to the 1948 models, from '49 on all Chevy passenger cars used 5 lugs.

width on the 56 rear is 59 3/4". 5 by 4 3/4 standard chevy pattern. I could crawl under the car and get the spring pad measurement if you need it.

Try this I am building a 1936 Pontiac. While looking for a rear end that would fit,I noticed that the third member that I had had in my 54 GMC looked the same. I used the original Pontiac axle housing and axles and the third member bolted right in. All I had to change was the axle gears. This means that any 1/2 ton 55 thru 59 third member would work. Maybe this will help. Joe

Try this I am building a 1936 Pontiac. While looking for a rear end that would fit,I noticed that the third member that I had had in my 54 GMC looked the same. I used the original Pontiac axle housing and axles and the third member bolted right in. All I had to change was the axle gears. This means that any 1/2 ton 55 thru 59 third member would work. Maybe this will help. Joe