VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1939 Chev. 1/2 ton pick-up

Morning all,
New to the hobby and am going to start a rebulid of a 39' 1/2 ton pick-up. Right from the start I would like to know what type of rear end would fit/work. I plan on keeping the truck stock and right now it has a Hudson rear end and not the correct lug pattern. I have heard that maybe a nova? or would a S-10? What year would the donor be? I'm sure that this will not be my last request. Thank you
Gary Wright

If you are planning on keeping it stock why not try to find a '39 Chevrolet 1/2 ton rear end?

A Nova or S10 wouldn't be the correct lug pattern either. Welcome to VCCA site but be aware that the VCCA is dedicated toward keeping these old rides the same as they were born. If you're wanting to put modern running gear under your truck you might want to pay a visit to the Stovebolt site @ stovebolt.com. Good luck on your project.

Morning,
I would very mich like to find a 39' rearend. Would a car rearend fit the truck, that would make my search a little easier. Thanks Gary

Morning,
Thak you for the reply. Yes I plan on keeping the truck stock. This is going to be my second truck that I have restored the first one is nearing completion. My good friend and farmer neighbor are completeing a 1927 chevy 1 ton truck. This is the same truck that his wifes family used on the farm back then and the one she leraned to drive in. We have done all the work are self. I think the hardest project was redoing all the interior wood structure, we are nearing the end now, we have started to rehang the sheetmetal and hope to be done by spring planting. I tried to post some pictures but did'nt have any luck. Thank you Gary

Gary,

Here's an Internet link to the Old Online Chevy Manuals page. Lots of answers to my questions here--hope it helps you too!

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/

Wally

First it will depend on just what was replaced in the "rear end".
To replace a rear end in a 1939 1/2 ton truck with a Camaro or?? it would have been necessary to remove the rear end and torque tube right up to the back of the transmission. Then if the Camaro rear end was used the transmission would have had to be changed to accept the open drive shaft.
Just where di they stop changing things?
While the general rear end parts are the same for 1937-39 1/2 ton trucks the 1939 torque tube is a little longer than the 1937-38. A passenger car is a bit different . Probably could be made to work but the torque tube is an inch shorter on the 1937-39 cars a two inches longer on the 1941-54.

1939 was the last year that commercial and utility trucks used spiral bevel ring and pinion. The passenger cars used hypoid. 1940 was the first year of hypoid and last year for torque tube on Utility.
When you find your 39 half ton rear end, I'd recommend Larry Jackson's 3:36 ring and pinion for quieter operation.

Lou can you provide a link to this 3.36 R&P you speak of? I was unaware of anything lower than Patrick's 3.55 set that would work for this rearend.

You would think if it has a Hudson rear end something would have to had been done to the trans or do they have a enclosed drive shaft too,it seems like too much of a hassle to change the rear end and leave the rest original and are you sure it has a Hudson rear.

Morning All,
Boy I can't belieave it was in Jan. when I asked for help on this rearend issue. I got side tracked on another project but while working on it I continued my search for a 39' rearend and found me one up in Wa. and took me a nice day and drove up and got it. It has surface rust but is all there, u-bolts, nuts and bolts even the old brake cables. I have found out when working on these projects the best tool you can buy are books. For my 39' pick-up project what would be the best books to get.something with part numbers and diagrams and good info? The ford people have thier "GREEN BIBLE" is there something like that for Chev's? Thanks

Besides an owner's manual, you should purchase a 1929-39 or 1929-41 Chevrolet parts book, a 1939 shop manual, the complete set of Chevrolet Service News (12 issues) for 1939, the Fisher Body Manual, and a 1939 accessory catalog. You will find all of the above extremely helpful.

Most of these items recommended are available right here on Chevy Chat. We are a complete service forum.

Yes this forum has a bunch of good advise but the books have it right at hand. Don't have to wait for a reply when you have the books.