Rear end swap question??

[Mike P]

“.......and are hard to get parts/upgrades for......”


X2

Before you pull the trigger on one of these check the availability of gear ratios.

 

[gp02a0083]

the stock 8.5 is a direct swap with the driveshaft, you can have your 7.5 driveshaft cut 0.99". I got my 8.5 rear with the drive shaft for $250 and the gears are perfect

 

[85Oldsmobile]

the stock 8.5 is a direct swap with the driveshaft, you can have your 7.5 driveshaft cut 0.99". I got my 8.5 rear with the drive shaft for $250 and the gears are perfect

Wow where did you find a 8.5 rear for $250???? If they're anymore I'll take two! :lol:

 

[Grandprixpaul]

Wow looking for a 8.5 or a body rear end and fould a great deal on a 69 lemans posi but its a 513 gear what were they thinking back then.

 

[dogsht]

IMO unless he is going slicks and a transbrake whats wrong with inexpensive stronger 28 spline Moser axles, a used factory S-10 posi with fresh clutches and a support cover such as www.taperformance.com makes & sells. Maybe $600 all fresh no fab work. You can go a long way on the 7.5/7.625 with these simple relatively cost effective upgrades and it doesn't take the horespower / fuel to turn that a ford 9 does for a driver. Some people additionally weld a thick band over the axle tube ends. The right answer always depends on some combination of budget, objectives, and fab skills/access to equipment.

 

[gp02a0083]

the stock 8.5 is a direct swap with the driveshaft, you can have your 7.5 driveshaft cut 0.99". I got my 8.5 rear with the drive shaft for $250 and the gears are perfect

Wow where did you find a 8.5 rear for $250???? If they're anymore I'll take two! :lol:

I was lucky to pick this up when i did. It came out of a 83 /84 H/O and has the 3.73 gear set. I'm glad i picked it up , but i regret dealing with the individual, after the fact i found out he scammed a few members here and was banned.

Finding a non-posi 8.5 rear would be your best bet IMO, the posi carrier is only $300 and some change from strange engineering. I've heard that upgrading the 7.5 can be rewarding, but it just can't take a lot of torque. Ive heard with the boat anchor 307 and drag /street slicks it can snap the axle. I think you can find a decent 8.5 then you wont have to worry all too much, but i agree with dogshit on this, it all depends on the budget and skills you have.