stvB3B Posted January 28, 2015 Report Posted January 28, 2015 I am in the process of rebuilding my 1952 B3B and have it torn down to the frame. After many broken bolts and bloody knuckles I am painting the frame and ready to star putting this baby back together. So far luck has been with me everything either works or has been able to be rebuilt to good as new. Now I find that after dropping the rear end off at the drive train shop to have it inspected and adjusted, that the guts are shot. The shop has the bearings I need and I have found a carrier assembly that is is in good shape. Now the last thing I need is a 4.11 ring and pinon gear set. I have my old set and a set that I bought with the carrier assembly that are both pitted to badly to be used. I can't seem to find these parts anywhere. I have tried all of my old parts contacts and am running out of ideas. Looks like the frame up part of my rebuild is on hold until I can get the rear end back together again. If anyone knows where I might find these parts or anyone that specializes in rear end parts and gears please let me know. Thanks Stuck on jack stands Quote
55 Fargo Posted January 28, 2015 Report Posted January 28, 2015 Hello, and welcome to the forum, sounds like you have been busy, and are off to a good start on reviving your truck. I would try searching all of your info requests, there is plenty of info on this website. For your diff, 4:11 gears are going to wind this old truck up fast, have you considered looking for a complete carrier with 3.73 or 3.55 gears. On my 1955 Fargo pickup, I have a late 1980s mopar 8 1/4 diff with 3.23 gears, makes highway cruising much nicer. The swaps are no that difficult, I do not have a parts suggestion, but hopefully someone will chime in....good luck Quote
DJ194950 Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 Many trucks (dodge & pilot house) 47-56 drop in the whole carrier, most will be 4:10 gears. 10 spline side gears. Many cars 37-56 use the same carrier, w/10 spline side gears but only use 2 side gears as many trucks (most?) use 4 side gears- stronger but really needed for most uses. Most auto carriers work if from a 6 cyl. car. Ratios from 4.1, 3.9, 3.73, 3.54. 3.73 is more common around the 52-56 era Mopar. Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Desoto, but avail. on some models before this. A higher gear ratio will make most vehicles more fun if you really drive them. Just trying to help expand part replacement search, Good luck! DJ 1 Quote
Bobacuda Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 I have been going through the same scenario you described, more or less. I have owned my truck about 40 years (I am the second owner) and I have had my share of seal failures ruining brakes and tearing up the original style rear ends because of the catastrophic seal failures when on the road. I used to be able to find replacements fairly easy. Those days are gone in this part of Texas. Anyhow, my B4B is a Fluid Drive, so a functioning emergency brake that can hold the truck on a hill, sometimes with a load, is a must, and from my experience, a rare occurrence. With that in mind, I opted to for a 1990 Dakota diff swap. More gear ratios available, modern self adjusting brakes, available parts, and a real e-brake (not that freaking band style). And now the reality. Moving the mounting tabs wasn't bad. The U-joints and drive shaft fit. However, the under the dash T-pull handle does not have the mechanical advantage to engage the Dakota e-brakes. And I haven't figured out how to rig it up, yet. If your e-brake is a through-the-floor lever, you might have the pull required. Other than that, and chasing parts at the only boneyard I can find with the remnants of some Pilothouse trucks, it has been fun. Good luck! Quote
ggdad1951 Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 Welcome...post some pics! As others have pointed out, either its an "upgrade" to a newer rear end or you will have to find another old set to refurbish. You COULD have new gear sets made ($$$$) as well. Best of luck and keep us up to date on your project. Don't forget to look in and post in the "Classifieds" section of the site for parts you are looking for. Quote
Bobacuda Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 If you are near Seguin, TX, John's Salvage (he has a website) has some fairly well picked-over pilothouse trucks and I am fairly certain several of them still have their diffs under them. He also has some old Plymouths and Dodge cars, so you might be able to find a "better" gear ration for your truck. That is the only boneyard around here that I have found with any pilothouse trucks. Quote
stvB3B Posted January 29, 2015 Author Report Posted January 29, 2015 Does anyone know if the rear end is the same for a 1952 and a 1957? Someone has a 57' but is not sure which years use the same differentials. Does anyone know? Quote
55 Fargo Posted January 29, 2015 Report Posted January 29, 2015 Does anyone know if the rear end is the same for a 1952 and a 1957? Someone has a 57' but is not sure which years use the same differentials. Does anyone know? The 1952 diff carrier( pumpkin) and axles may very well be 10 spline, the 1957 Diff would be 16 spline side gears and axle splines. This can be remedied but swapping the side gears off the 10 spline carrier. As mentioned a swap using a complete diff from a Jeep Cherokee, and other Mopar products is fairly straight forward and simple, you could get 3.23 or 3.55 gears, and modern bendix style brakes to boot.... Quote
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