Opinions wanted on 3.78 in a Columbia

[blucar]

Originally Posted by Steve Kennedy

Sorry, yes forgot to mention that I am asking about installing a 3.78 in a Columbia for improved highway driving.

Steve, My comments about converting your '36 to a Columbia might be a little off topic, however, I thought I would share my experiences with you.
My '36 was dead stock when I bought it in '52 from the original owner. It had the early style of Columbia under it with 3.78 gearing. I found the original controls to be very user unfriendly so I converted the unit to a '42-48, I retained the original drive-line and center section. I used the late model electric over vacuum controls which made shifting much easier.
Most people are under the impression that the '42-48 Columbia's have to be cut down to fit under a '36, the '42-48 is less than 2" wider than a '36, however the added width does not present a problem.
I used '37 radius bars bolted to the '36 torque tube and axle housing and a '42-48 rear spring and shocks.. My axle is actually a '48 so it had a panhard (sway bar) incorporated into the axle housing.
My front end is a '41 axle, dropped 2", tube shocks front and rear. Brakes are '42-48, steering gears are '40 on a '37-39 frame mount.
The car handles very nicely at speed, have had it over 100 mph on many occasions.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about how my car is set up.