Re: Truck Rear End Specifications

The rear spring centers are 44 15/16". I don't have a rear end with
drums in place to measure the width, but drum-to-drum measurement will
be very close to the published track width of 59 9/16". I don't see a
pinion angle published in the 2R spec book, but in the 7E book it is
shown as 5=BA up.
If you don't mind the tapered axles, the easiest and probably cheapest
way to fix this is to find a 1955 or older Stude pickup rear end and
install the carrier and ring and pinion from a car model 44 rear end
to get a cruising gear ratio.
In 1956 the bed and rear axle was widened 3". They will work too, but
keep you from using a real wide wheel.