Think I have FINALLY pinned down a new rear

[rebelgtp]

Well after months of searching I think that I have finally found a rear end for my Franken Olds that will work! I was contacted by a local guy that has a 12 bolt rear out of a '68 Buick Skylark that should fit up. He is asking $150 it is a non posi but that can always be added later (my uncle may actually have one for a 12 bolt around somewhere).

If I understand fitting one of these rears should be fairly straight forward, stock lower arms with adjustable upper arms is that right? I know it will be a little bit wider than the stock rear (which is fine by me within reason). Anything else I should look for?

I might be getting my engine and trans "gifted" to me for Christmas so things should be coming together quickly from there on out. The engine should be pushing out between 300 and 400 hp once I'm done and a 4spd trans is going in so the stock 7.5 would have never survived.

 

[Chris Van]

I think you will also need to get the spherical upper bushings that TRZ sells to make the upper control arms work.

 

[rebelgtp]

Good to know. I will have a bit of research to do but at least I know its a rear that has been put in before. Also nice to know it will be able to handle what I plan on power wise. He will be contacting me tonight with a width measurement.

 

[shotgun]

If you buy conversion arms you don't need the spherical bushings or adjustible arms.

Spherical bushings are pretty much a strip only item since they cannot be cleaned and lubed without pulling the arms.

Adjustible arms are nice, make setting pinion angle easy, but not required.

I do run them both in my strip Cutlass (below) with a stock width 68 12 bolt rear. You will rims with one more inch offset.

I got 15x10 rims to fit with 30x9 radial slicks without a frame notch,only minor fender roll was done and with the new anti-roll bar added, even that is not needed.

 

[rebelgtp]

Shotgun is there a particular set of conversion arms that I should get that are better than others?

I was planning on running 15x8 wheels on all 4 corners. So from what you are saying with this rear and that size wheel I would still need to find some 5 inch back space wheels? I'm not planning on going overly huge on the tires either wanted to try and get the same size rubber on all 4 corners.

 

[shotgun]

Can't recommend one brand over the other. I would get a set with Poly bushings, then use stock rubber in the rear ears.

As far as tires and rims, you can't run the same rim (offset) front and rear.

Why limit the rear tire size?

Do you want the same so you can rotate the tires?

The rears will need 1inches more backspace then the front.

Each car is different but 4bs front and 5 to 5.5 bs rear sounds right.

My rear rims are 6.5 bs but that also a 10' rim.