Hello everyone,
To start off, I posted this in the monte/malibu section, and then realized this would probably be the proper place for this thread. Also previously I posted some info on some possibilities of upgrade options for the rearend for my 84 monte rebuild. I got numerous helpful responses, so then I went on trying to decide what to do. I finally got some time to talk to my buddy that has all the parts and another friend who is going to do the fab. work on my car. As some may have read before I had a choice between a ford 9" out of a old f150 with a 3.55 trac lock, or a 12 bolt out of a cutlass 442. Some were concerned about the 12 bolt from the olds because I guess they made a rare "o" type rear that is pricey to fix and parts are scarce. Well I found out the 12 bolt is out of a 68 cutlass 442. It has a 3.31 posi, and it isn't the "o" type rearend. I have pretty much shot down the f150 9" idea because it is WAY too wide and by the time I shorten the rearend, buy axles, etc., etc., I think Im way out of my budget and I'm actually better off buying a complete unit from quick performance, speedway, currie, or winters. NOW the question is can I fab. the 12 bolt into my monte for a reasonable price without shortening it? I know its alittle wider, but can I offset the rear wheels to compensate for the extra axle length? Also what offset wheels would I possibly need? I want to run 15x8's or 15x10's in the rear with a 295/50r15 tire. I Plan to also notch the frame to fit these tires if need be. So anyone who has a g-body with a gm 12 bolt please chime in and give me some advice and maybe some pics of how it was installed, and what fab. work needed to be done for the swap. Another thing is my friend says he has is a steering gear box out of a pontiac t/a gta. Will installing the gta box improve my steering?? Lastly, he is going to strip and scrap a rough buick t-type. Is there anything I should grab off the t-type such as sway bars, or suspension components that would be a upgrade for my car? Thanks everyone for your help!
To start off, I posted this in the monte/malibu section, and then realized this would probably be the proper place for this thread. Also previously I posted some info on some possibilities of upgrade options for the rearend for my 84 monte rebuild. I got numerous helpful responses, so then I went on trying to decide what to do. I finally got some time to talk to my buddy that has all the parts and another friend who is going to do the fab. work on my car. As some may have read before I had a choice between a ford 9" out of a old f150 with a 3.55 trac lock, or a 12 bolt out of a cutlass 442. Some were concerned about the 12 bolt from the olds because I guess they made a rare "o" type rear that is pricey to fix and parts are scarce. Well I found out the 12 bolt is out of a 68 cutlass 442. It has a 3.31 posi, and it isn't the "o" type rearend. I have pretty much shot down the f150 9" idea because it is WAY too wide and by the time I shorten the rearend, buy axles, etc., etc., I think Im way out of my budget and I'm actually better off buying a complete unit from quick performance, speedway, currie, or winters. NOW the question is can I fab. the 12 bolt into my monte for a reasonable price without shortening it? I know its alittle wider, but can I offset the rear wheels to compensate for the extra axle length? Also what offset wheels would I possibly need? I want to run 15x8's or 15x10's in the rear with a 295/50r15 tire. I Plan to also notch the frame to fit these tires if need be. So anyone who has a g-body with a gm 12 bolt please chime in and give me some advice and maybe some pics of how it was installed, and what fab. work needed to be done for the swap. Another thing is my friend says he has is a steering gear box out of a pontiac t/a gta. Will installing the gta box improve my steering?? Lastly, he is going to strip and scrap a rough buick t-type. Is there anything I should grab off the t-type such as sway bars, or suspension components that would be a upgrade for my car? Thanks everyone for your help!
