Box stock 1964 283 powerglide 2 door hardtop car.

I've been kind of checkbook hotrodding it while I've been away from home...and from how my dad has described the way it drives to me...it desperatley needs gears. I imagine it has a ridiculous gear ratio to compensate for the PG trans, but now I've had that pulled in favor of a TH350 (behind the new GMPP HO350).

So, I'm inclined to buy a set of 3.42's - however, I'm not sure what size rear it has? Anyone know?

Should be stock Chevy, from 55-64, removable carrier.

A little more info on this axle.
GM "CHEVY" 8.2" REAR AXLE - 55-64

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Would it be adviseable/necessary to get a new carrier along with new gears?

You would only need to replace the carrier in two instances.

1. Your existing carrier is damaged, or un-useable for some other reason.
2. You want to add a limited slip/posi/locker or whatever it is called by the manufacturer of that particular unit to add traction by utilizing both rear tires in moving the vehicle.

Certain type lockers can be added to an existing open carrier.

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Out of curiosity anyone know what gear ratio would have come box stock with it?

The existing carrier should be reusable assuming it is in good condition and is compatible with the gear ratio you choose

Jack up 1 rear tire, place the tire's valve stem @ the 6:00 position.
Put a piece of tape on the driveline (horizional <- 3 inches long) Have another person rotate the tire slowly EXACTLLY 10 rounds (stopping the valve stem @ the 6:00 position) While you count how many times the piece of tape went around & around & aro...
Whatever # of times the driveline turned - multiply this # by 2

Example - the tire was turned 10 times
the driveline made 17.1 reveloutions
17.1 x 2 = 34.2
Moveing the decimal over 1 would make it a 3.42
so the rearend is a 342 (or very close to this #) Useing some logic you can round the number to an actual rearend/application/size/etc

COOL MAN! Hope this helps.

64 Imps came with 3.08, 3.36, 3.56, 3.73, 4.11 and rare 4.56. Since my memory is not what it used to be, the 3rd digit may be off a "round off" digit. When it comes to converting to a posi unit, then the carrier comes in three family groups and there is some intercangability there. The family groop for the higer numbered gears will work throughout the range, while the family group for the lower numbered gears will work for that group only. Again, my memory is fading

Trees