Too much $ for 8.5?

[SoFloG]

I'm not familiar with what's needed to fit an a body rear but I know the gn 8.5 will bolt right in with no mods. It's complete drum to drum

 

[pontiacgp]

The A body rear comes in two widths, the 64 to 67 is 2.5" wider than a G body rear, the 68 to 72 is 4.5" wider. The conversions uppers work on both versions. With the 64 to 67 version your need a joint on the lower to compensate for the misalignment. The bracket for the A body on the 63 to 67 is closer to the center of the axle than the bracket on the B body rear. I have the UMI conversion uppers and UMI modified the lower to install the Roto Joint for me....

 

[lilbowtie]

Just seen this on craigslist. Out of 65 GTO

REAR END 3.55 POSI - $750 (CLARE) hide this posting restore this posting

 

[el camino ss 84]

Ford 9 inch is way cheaper that a gn 8.5 and can handle more horsepower. Yes you would have to do some modification like brake lines and possibly brakes depending on what you plan to use and also driveshaft. you still come ahead and don't have to worry when it will explode when you put to much power to the stock /built 8.5 from grand nationals compared to the stronger ford 9inch.

 

[Doug Chahoy]

Ford 9 inch is way cheaper that a gn 8.5 and can handle more horsepower. Yes you would have to do some modification like brake lines and possibly brakes depending on what you plan to use and also driveshaft. you still come ahead and don't have to worry when it will explode when you put to much power to the stock /built 8.5 from grand nationals compared to the stronger ford 9inch.

Are there any Ford 9s that are the exact width?

 

[81Regal]

The only ones I have seen are from mid 50's Ford wagon but those are leaf spring cars and need the perches welded on.

 

[lilbowtie]

Ford
Outside
Width Year Model
56.50 1969-1977 Maverick 8"
57.00 1974-1978 Mustang II 8"
57.25 1957-1959 Ford, Ranchero, Station Wagon
57.25 1965-1966 Mustang
58.00 1966-1977 Bronco
58.00 1964-1965 Falcon
58.00 1977-1981 Granada/Versailles
58.50 1977-1981 Versailles
59.25 1967-1970 Mustang, Fairlane, Comet, Cougar
60.00 1967 Cougar
60.00 1958-1960 Edsel
61.00 1964-1971 Ford Full Size
61.00 1949-1951 Mercury
61.25 1957-1972 Ford F-100 Pickup
61.25 1960-1964 Ford Full Size
61.25 1971-1973 Mustang
61.25 1967-1973 Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane
63.00 1970-1979 Ranchero & Torino
63.00 1972-1979 Ford Full Size & Intermediate
63.50 1967 Fairlane (Coil Springs)
65.25 1973-1986 Ford F-150 Pickup
65.25 1978-1986 Bronco
65.25 1973-1986 Ford Van 3/4 Ton
68.00 1972 Ford Van 3/4 Ton
69.25 1977-1986 Ford E-150 Van
Chevy

Outside
Width Year Model
54.25 1983-2004 Chevy S10 2WD, GMC S15 2WD
57.75 1962-1964 Chevy II/Nova
57.75 1965-1967 Chevy II/Nova
58.00 1978-1988 Chevy Malibu, Monte Carlo
59.50 1968-1982 Corvette
60.00 1955-1964 Chevy Car
60.00 1967-1969 Camaro
60.25 1968-1979 Chevy II/Nova
60.50 1984-1995 Corvette
60.50 1964-1967 Chevelle
62.00 1955-1959 Chevy Pickup
62.50 1968-1972 Chevelle
62.50 1970-1981 Camaro/Firebird
Mopar

Outside
Width Year Model
55.60 1960-1976 7 1/4 A-body
55.60 1973-1976 8 1/4 A-body
55.60 1966-1972 8 3/4 A-body
55.60 All 8 3/4 A-body
56.00 1932-1934 All Mopars
57.40 1963-1972 7 1/4 A-body
58.54 All 8 1/4 F-body
58.54 All 8 1/4 M-body
58.54 All 8 1/4 J-body
59.00 1935-1936 All Mopars
59.14 1966-1970 9 3/4 B-body
59.20 1962-1970 8 3/4 B-body
60.00 1937-1948 All Mopars
60.70 All 8 3/4 E-body
60.70 All 9 3/4 E-body
62.00 All 8 1/4 B-body
62.00 1971-1974 8 3/4 B-body
62.00 All 9 1/4 B-body
63.40 All 8 1/4 C-body
63.40 1971-1974 8 3/4 B-body S.W.
63.40 All 9 1/4 C-body
GM & Mopar Body Style Codes

 

[olds307 and 403]

Bought my 9 in years ago - paid $600 for housing and axles (order w/gm ends and transferred my brakes) Bought a gear set for $150, bearing kit for $90 a case for $50 and a spool for $130 . Ever think of using an A body 8.5, an 8.8??

Good point. If I had to set another car up I would look very hard at the A body set up using conversion control arms. The A body rear is a little wider which is a good thing for stuffing wide tires under a G body. The limiting factor for tire fitment on a G body with a factory rear and stock wheel offset is frame rub, not the quarter panel.

I can get a 9" housing locally for around $600 done on a jig and he quite often has used gears. I have the tire rubbing issues with my fairly narrow ET street Bias ply slicks, the 26x 9.5-15 tires. Maybe a 10 or 12 A body rear wouldn't be so bad, I know someone with 12 bolt A body rear ends. All depends what gears are in them on whether the cost will be a wash.

 

[el camino ss 84]

If you look online you can find just the 9inch rear end housing with stock gbody length from around $300 and up.

 

[Bar50]

http://www.quickperformance.com/QP-GM-1978-1987-G-Body-9-Inch-Housing-Axle-Package_p_63.html

Housing and axles $745 new, new axles, not re-drilled and re-splined. I went with the Chevy tube ends and ran Camaro/Chevelle drum brakes, it was painless on my last car. My grudge car has Strange four piston discs, and I still don't have the pedal I would like. I ran a used truck center that had 4.10s, I bought a $65 dirt track spool. Later on I added a Daytona pinion support and forged yoke.

If you are not going to run slicks, go with a 28 spline 7.5 posi and a set of 28 spline axles for a GN 8.5.

Depends on what you really plan on doing with your car.