1955 Dodge Truck C-3 B-8 Keep Stock or Modified

[ghost55]

Hello, some time ago my son Noah who at the time was fourteen wanted an old truck for his first ride great. Wanted some thing no one else had I told his then it must be a Dodge !! Well I found him two,

a half ton and a one ton for parts. Well now is the problem the half ton has a 4-speed trans and the one ton an auto trans both are 1955 trans and both will work. So now I need to guide him which one

to use. I sure could use some advice keep it stock or use the auto trans. Than comes the rear end do I leave stock or modified. He loves old school stuff just like me but in the end of the day I think he

wants to go faster than this truck will go stock. So now the 259 engine is almost rebuilt the frame is almost ready for 415 . Need help on trans and rear end if I change rear end which one to use must be                      same bolt pattern for wheels . Its been thirty years sense my last build and always Chevy Trucks. So please school me help me thanks for your time Jerry !! 

 

 

 

  

1. CHANGE REAR END OR KEEP STOCK

 

2.4 SPEED TRANS OR AUTO TRANS

Edited July 2, 2016 by ghost55

[NiftyFifty]

What is the ratio of the stock 1/2 ton rear diff now? It may be 3:55, so changing it may be little advancement, but if it is something like 4:10/11 then a good choice is a jeep Cherokee/Wranger rear diff, and you can also look at a new style and get rear disc brakes, but of course then I recommend changing the front over to disc as well.

As for the stock trans options, I would say the auto is the better choice over the stock 4 speed, but again I wouldn't use either...I prefer my overdrive 5 speed. What it all really comes down too, is what the end use is for the truck, is it a weekend short distant cruiser, or is he planning to drive this every day, and planning to hit the highway in it a lot? Now is the time to do upgrades, while its still in the build phase IMO

[Don Coatney]

You and your son are the ones who must live with the results. Choice is yours.

[William Davey]

I have a 55 C-3-B8 and here's my $0.02.  The stock rear axle ratio is either a 4:10 or 4:56 and there are no simple upgrades to change just the ring and pinion (according to Randy at Randy's Ring & Pinion).  The little 259 V-8 has plenty of power, the truck is light and the motor will easily rev to 3,500 RPM's (red line is 4,400). My truck has 4:10 gears and 60 mph is about 2,850 RPM so no problem keeping up with traffic.  Honestly with leaf springs all around and beam axles I really don't want to go much faster in this truck.  You may not want your son going faster either.  These do not handle at all like modern vehicles.  While on the topic of speed, I strongly urge you to upgrade to front disc brakes.  I used a kit from Olddaddy (AKA rustyhope on this forum) and I'm very happy with the results. Power steering is available on later years, and you may be able to adapt to the 55, but be aware that without power steering and with radial tires, this truck is VERY hard to steer at low speed.  I choose parking spots carefully.  So in summary, keep the 4 speed (just use 2nd, 3rd, and 4th) and the rear axle, fix the brakes and then decide what you want to modify.  By the way, I bought a 3:55 Cherokee differential soon after getting my truck 7 years ago.  It's still in the basement.

[Jeff Balazs]

Since you are asking I would think a 3.55 from a Cherokee would be a good way to go.

I did a two for one swap using a 2002 Grand Cherokee rear axle and got the benefit of very nice rear discs. Combine that with a front disc kit and a dual chamber M/C and you should wind up with a truck your son can live with for a long time.

 

Jeff