7.5" Factory Rear End Upgrade Question

[MegaOlds]

Is it worth the money to upgrade the factory 7.5" rear end to a different gear and a better differential? Or is it better to just find an 8.5" and upgrade that with different gears and a better diff? I'm on a tight budget so all help is appreciated. Also, this will not be a drag car or ever go to the strip. Just going to car shows and fun driving.

 

[autonaut]

Re: 7.5

From my understanding, a well rebuilt 7.5 rear end with fresh lube seals ujoints all will hold up fine to "fun driving".

I would have it rebuilt/upgraded by a proffesional. Can you do it yourself? Yes. If you have the tools. Could it very well become a nightmare to keep silent for a DIY. YES.

I'd recommend you to find a reputable pro with experience and the right tools. It's not a big job for him if he knows what he is doing. And if he keeps his word, and you keep yours, you can save yourself from a possbile nasy headache.

I have rebuilt many rearends. Im no novice. Once i had to re-shim one 20 times. I kid you not. No matter the pattern it would make noices. In the end i had to buy new gears to get it to shut up. This was on a c3 corvette where you have to remove the housing, and use a press to get the gears in and out of the housing. By the time i was done, i could remove, disassemble, re-shim, assemble, check pattern, and install in less than 30 minutes.
Ask me if i was losing my mind doing this over and over!

 

[MegaOlds]

Wow that's nuts haha

 

[autonaut]

Re: 7.5

It was my own car fortunately.. A car that almost killed me. Literally. But that's a different story.

If your not obsessed with DIY, have it done by a pro. And if you think a professional is expensive, you haven't tried and amateur.