Hello hello. i know this is rookie talk, but i was wanted to know if anyone had a suggestion on what rearend might be best/ and easiest to swap with the old rearend?
if you could give more info than just a ten or 12 bolt. meaning what car i might find the rearend i need in or whatever would be very appreciated. i plan on running a 350    combo with about 400hp hopefully.  

Other than an after market product from sombody like Currie, or other advertisers in the 'zines I really don't know of any good donor cars that are plentiful any more. Any way you'd have to cut the coil stuff off and weld on leaf stuff. considering the time that would take, and the fact that A body, and G body (the closest in size) would be old high mileage stuff, and need to be gone through, the after market choices seem pretty reasonably priced. . New Silverado 1500 stuff might be too wide, and six lug. Good luck  

I have put a Ford (I think I just swore!) 9" out of a 1970 something pickup under my '55 first GMC. It was only 1" wider than the stock rear end. I put a four link with it so if you are thinking of staying with the stock leafs may take a little modification. Good luck!  

Im pretty sure you would be ok with a ford 8.8... They are cheaper to find (out of explorer's and mustangs) and you can usually find em with disc brakes and around 3:73 gears