rear end questions

[GM Muscle]

well i dont want to spend 2500 if i dont have to. my car could use alot of other goodies...

[Apogee]

Originally Posted by GM Muscle

well i dont want to spend 2500 if i dont have to. my car could use alot of other goodies...

Before I considered a truck 12-bolt, I'd look at the 65" wide, fishmouth housing, Ford 9" from a 1977-1983 F150 or full-size Bronco with 31-spline axles and a Trac-Loc. I can get these all day from yards for $100-$250 around here in Oregon. Even though you'd need to swap or modify the axles, the gear ratio will more than likely be 3.50 or 4.11 and it's already set up for 31-spline axles. New GM/Ford hybrid ends can be had for less than $100 but will need to be installed on the housing...another $100-$150 or so. Just make sure you use the "flush mount" ends so that you won't need to run a spacer with your LS1 backing plates. Shock mounts and spring pads could be done at the same time as well.

The E150 vans of the same era (up to '86 IIRC) had an even wider version of the 9" at 68" WMS-WMS if that's needed. A lot of the off-road guys running full-width Dana 60's up front pair those up with the van 9" in the rear to match track width and maintain the smaller 5-lug patterns versus converting to 8-lug in the rear.

Tobin
KORE3

[ZMAN1969]

build a 72-78 nova 8.5" rear end the 75-78 behind a v8 are 8.5" posis are available as are gears or i can build you one - stronger than that truck 12 bolt-pinion diameter is smaller and i have seen these sheer off - i wouldnt wast my time or money on a 9" or that truck 12 bolt- the nova is pretty much a bolt in - watch your springs most nova's are multileaf and you may need to shorten your drive shaft - im local in Lewisville for you too