Mystery Diff

[Howard]

G'Day All,
A friend of mine spotted this diff on a farm walk, and asked me if I could identify it. I couldn't.
I asked a couple of other punters, and got several different answers.
So, over to the brains trust.

My guess was MH scout car - Disproved
Contestant One said: 1936/39 Ford truck?
Contestant Two said: GM Something?
Contestant Three said: Stude US6?

What's the correct answer?

[charlie fitton]

Don't see in input / pinion shaft, Ford for sure. blanked off ends on the hubs - converted for trailer use.

[Lynn Eades]

I think the jimmy and stude use the same axles. yes I know ythere are two types in Jimmies, Banjo and Timken. Anyhow the axle has slippers for the springs and mounts for the radius arms, so definately 6x6 rear axle.

[hrpearce]

Howard check out post 67 in Kevin's toys for your answer.

[Howard]

You mean this one?

Looks like it, eh?
I'm a little confused by your post, Is the diff Studebaker or RIO (showing my ignorance of US trucks).
H

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Howard

I'm a little confused by your post, Is the diff Studebaker or RIO (showing my ignorance of US trucks).
H

Studebaker, Reo (not Rio as in the KIA P.O.S.) - same thing different badge.

The Timken axles as used in some GMCs as well as Studebaker/Reo has a flat-ish side on the diff housing compared to the Ford, and also uses 6 stud hubs.

[Howard]

Good on ya Howard, still a rookie!

[hrpearce]

Howard, Keith has answered the diff question, what I meant to say was Kevin bought a cut and shortened Reo and a full, bare, Studebaker chassis.

[Howard]

Originally Posted by Howard

...My guess was MH scout car - Disproved
Contestant One said: 1936/39 Ford truck?
Contestant Two said: GM Something?
Contestant Three said: Stude US6?
What's the correct answer?

So, The winner is.... (Drum roll...) Contestant 3!
AKA Mr Keith Webb!
Bad luck to out other two contestants, who will each be going home with a supplementary prize... (Nominate yourself to collect)

H

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

Studebaker, Reo (not Rio as in the KIA P.O.S.) - same thing different badge.

The Timken axles as used in some GMCs as well as Studebaker/Reo has a flat-ish side on the diff housing compared to the Ford, and also uses 6 stud hubs.

Hello Keith & others,

Actually it is REO which stands for Ransom Eli Olds. When Ransom left the Oldsmobile company to set up his own business they would not let him take the "Oldsmobile" name. So he set up a new company with the initials of his name. Accessed June 4th from https://reoclub.org/History.html

I have a 1934-35 REO Speed Wagon Truck. Ransom Eli Olds was one very interesting fellow!

Kind Regards
Lionel

[motto]

To pin it down a little more, the diff in question is the rear most axle assembly for Studebaker US6 or Reo built equivalent and has the non demountable brake drums.
This assembly is the same as that used on the split diff GMC CCKW except for the brakes which were similar to those used on the banjo diff axle.

David

[lendlease]

G'day! Actually, the diff assembly IS NOT a REO nor STUDEBAKER. It is a GMC CCKW rear of rear for a 6x6...as it has GMC type brake backing plates and early non demountable drums....as Motto said. GMC bakde drums are much wider that Studebaker/Reo. FYI.

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by lendlease

GMC bakde drums are much wider that Studebaker/Reo. FYI.

I happen to have a pic showing Studebaker brake drum, thought I'd post it for comparison.

[motto]

Looking more closely, lend lease is correct. The backing plates are a giveaway to the assembly being GMC. The odd part is the slot for the handbrake operating lever as used on some Chev models that do not use a transmission brake. These slots have no purpose on a CCKW. I've noticed the same thing on another GMC 6x6.
The Studebaker brake drum shown is the later demountable type. The early non demountable type appear similar to the GMC but as lend lease says, they are smaller.

David