Rear end

[montecarlo85]

I have an 85 monte carlo and i'm looking to put a 8.5 rearend under it, what are somethings to look out for aside from moving brackets around? Any advice would be great, thanks.

 

[MightyCarlo86]

As far as I know, from all of the posts that are already on the site about this topic the only thing you are going to need is to have your driveshaft shortened by 1" or get the driveshaft from the vehicle that it came out of. Im pretty sure thats it from the reading that I did on it before.

 

[montecarlo85]

Thank you.

 

[fdcutlass]

I think you can swap out with a Buick Grand National.

 

[L92 OLDS]

I think you can swap out with a Buick Grand National.

The GM G body 8.5" rear is a direct swap for the standard 7.5" rear. All the factory mounts are the same so bracket relocation is not necessary. It is beyond me why people associate the 8.5" to only the Grand National and always say they have a "GN rear" in their car. They came on 1984-1987 G bodies that were either Hurst Olds, 442's, T type's or GN's.

 

[Hoopty_Mike]

Also remember with the use of an 8.5 your drive shaft will need to be shortened an inch or so. Or you will need to grab the drive shaft from the vehicle you pulled the rear from.

 

[fdcutlass]

I think you can swap out with a Buick Grand National.

The GM G body 8.5" rear is a direct swap for the standard 7.5" rear. All the factory mounts are the same so bracket relocation is not necessary. It is beyond me why people associate the 8.5" to only the Grand National and always say they have a "GN rear" in their car. They came on 1984-1987 G bodies that were either Hurst Olds, 442's, T type's or GN's.

Cant speak for anyone else but for a newbie like me i think the grand national is the most recognizable 8.5 rear end.

 

[86-blk442]

I think you can swap out with a Buick Grand National.

The GM G body 8.5" rear is a direct swap for the standard 7.5" rear. All the factory mounts are the same so bracket relocation is not necessary. It is beyond me why people associate the 8.5" to only the Grand National and always say they have a "GN rear" in their car. They came on 1984-1987 G bodies that were either Hurst Olds, 442's, T type's or GN's.

Cant speak for anyone else but for a newbie like me i think the grand national is the most recognizable 8.5 rear end.

How can you tell the difference? All g body 8.5" rear ends are physically the same, aside from internal parts. My 442's rear axle looks no different than the Grand nationals....

 

[fdcutlass]

as far as knowledge goes.

 

[fdcutlass]

Hey 86-blk442, is that the umi rear suspension set up on your car? if so what made you go with it over other brands and how much do you like it? Ive been looking at rear suspension sets and am having a hard time deciding what brand to go with, with level and adjustable or not.