Rear Axle: rear end preference

[mainmansam]

I bought a 50 Commander Starlite and am having a S10 front clip put on. What would be a good mate for a rear end that would support the same wheels and tire sizes It will sport a 350 and a 700r transmission. Thanks for your advice in advance.

[bezhawk]

Why not use the S-10 rear end also?

[Mike Van Veghten]

Most all brand axle flanges and drums/rotors can be drilled for any bolt pattern...
Just pick an axle you think you'll like and make the axles fit your wheels.

Mike

[karterfred88]

I bought a 50 Commander Starlite and am having a S10 front clip put on. What would be a good mate for a rear end that would support the same wheels and tire sizes It will sport a 350 and a 700r transmission. Thanks for your advice in advance.

Might as well keep it Chevy, makes the wheels easier. Why not a whole S10 frame modified to fit--use a 98 up rear (8.75) should be strong enough and will be right width or close. All the Stude rears that fit will be tapered hub axle type Dana 44s. Might find a 9" Ford from a Mustang, Comet or Falcon but they are getting scarce, or a 8.8 (31 spline axle) from a late Ranger or Explorer that will be close enough (58 to 60 hub to hub) but then you have the wheel pattern problem again.

[DEEPNHOCK]

I agree with the thought of a complete S10 swap.
The end goal is to take a Stude that was never going to make it back on the road, and get it back on the road.

There have been quite a few successful S10 swaps done.
The S10 frame is easy to stretch or shorten (when compared to other frames).
And, if your donor S10 is nicely optioned, a lot of that can be retained.

As far as bolt patterns go... If you get a set of Wheel Vintique wheels, you can get multiple pattern stud holes.

[48skyliner]

Have you read this thread? http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...g-II-front-end

[52-fan]

My 52 Commander came to me with a 2002 Sonoma/S-10 rear end. It has a 3:42 gear and limited slip. The only issue is the different bolt pattern, but yours would match. It is a bit narrower than stock allowing a little more tire clearance.