There's a lot of different ways to go about choosing the components we incorporate into our classic truck projects, and many times circumstance guides us as much as personal preference does in that regard.
A good example of this is my homebuilt '57 Chevy project. As I've said in the past, not only do I want to end up with a cool-looking classic pickup but I'm also aiming for one that'll function as well as a workhorse as it will as a daily driven hot rod-while still being somewhat affordable in the process. So with that delicate balancing act of preference and circumstance in mind, I've pretty much worked out the areas/components I might scrimp on versus those that I either can't or won't. In my case anyway, I've decided to spend the bulk of my budget on mechanicals and begin the penny-pinching after the suspension and driveline are handled.
In my case, the '57 is destined to pull a 27-foot long, 7,000-pound camper trailer, hopefully rather regularly. So naturally I'm just as interested in a finished product that's every bit as powerful and reliable as it is cool looking and fun to drive. So far I've upgraded the parallel-leaf solid axle frontend to a high-quality coil-sprung independent Total Cost Involved Engineering system equipped with a power rack-and-pinion and an equally high-quality TCI four-bar coilover rear suspension system. This combination will give me the strength, handling, and the heavily lowered stance I'm hoping to achieve. Along with these components, I made the decision to go with what has been my first choice in rearend assemblies for nearly as long as I've been building hot rod cars and trucks, the Currie 9-inch Ford-style rearend assembly. I say Ford-style because it's been more than a few years since the supply of rebuildable Ford 9-inch rearends has basically dried up, and Currie tooled up and began producing completely new performance rearends in the original Ford configuration. The Currie 9-inchers, known as 9-Plus, are 100 percent brand-new assemblies and components, not junkyard rebuilds. All 9-Plus components meet or exceed original OEM specifications. They're made of superior materials, like cast-iron nodular housings, and precision machined for extraordinary reliability and long life-and they've served me flawlessly for years.
That said, I measured my original Chevy rearend and ordered an identically sized 9-Plus to go with my new rear suspension. Upon placing my order, I inquired about the possibility of hanging out and snapping some pictures of my rearend's assembly, and the guys were more than willing to let me watch it being assembled. (But only after I promised to stay out of the way and not ask the countless stupid questions I'm known for asking.) So take a look at the birth of my rearend (how's that for a stomach-turning invitation), and keep Currie in mind as one of the best sources for classic truck, hot rod, muscle car, and off-road differentials and rearend assemblies you could ever consider.
