hello i own a 51' chevy pickup and i need help with the rear end. i want to put a v8 with a manual transmisson and i am unsure what type of differential to put in. i want one with 6 lugs. i would love to reuse the one i have but it has a torque tube. is there any way of change the torque tube to a driveshaft or swapping out the innards for something else . please advice thanks alot matt

Matt; The biggest hurdle will be finding a rear end of the correct width, unless you are prepared to spend a LOT of money. I put a Nova (5 lug) rear end, 350 Chev, Saginaw 4spd, in my '40 Ford Coupe. Wasn't that difficult...just happened to be the right width. Of course, once you've done it, you'll need to get a driveshaft, and more than likely, have to have it cut to the correct length.
Loren
SW Washington

yes i was thinking about replacing the entire thing but im not sure how to measure the current one to find out which rear end would fit the best. can you maybe explain the proper way to measure it

Probably a crude way of doing it, but I just measured from the outside of one brake drum to the other.
The driveshaft measurement is a bit tricky. You'll need to 'judge' how far into the tail shaft on the trans. the yoke should go in, then go to the center of the rear u-joint cap. You can put a cap in the pinion yoke for measuring purpose.
Another thing to keep in mind; It will be much easier, down the road, if you try and stick with one manufacturer for all of you parts. And, keep a list of year, make, and model the parts come from. Although mine was a Ford, I stayed with all GM parts, engine, trans, rear end. (Chev engines are shorter, front to back, so is an easier install, not to mention all of the adapters for the swap are readily available).
Had a guy bring in a '34 Ford sedan. He bought it this way, so he had no idea what he had. Buick V6, GM trans, Datsun 510 rear end...what a cobbled up POS! This guy even believed that it was the stock rear end. Yeah, right, independent rear suspension in a '34 Ford? Geeeeez. He was a lot of help when we tried to find parts for that beast. That's why I say it's so important to document what parts you use.
Loren
SW Washington

(This post was edited by Loren Champlain Sr on Dec 18, 2008, 5:18 PM)

thank you for all your help so far, but i have another question. since i want to put a v8 in the truck i am now wondering if the old steering box is going to fit. if i where to change it can you advice me in what i could replace it with. it is currently manual.

You got me on that one. I was able to use the OE steering on the '40. I'm certain that it can be done, but sorry, I don't have the knowledge on this. Wondering if there may be a web site that you can go to that deals with the '50-'54 Chevs? I know that there is a 'club' for just about every type vehicle.
Loren
SW Washington