Rear end question: I'm currently running a 72 Impala 12 bolt in the rear of my AD. I realize it's fairly strong and desirable, but there are a few things making it less so to me. First, it's a 2.72 ratio. I just came off the road from 1000 miles of hot rod magazines power tour and the 2.72 is nice, but I need to put a little more to the ground. I don't go 80 in her, so a 3.08 or 3.42 would be nice. Second, it's 5 on 5 and the front is 5 on 4.75. Driving me nuts. So... Is the 4x4 S10 rear the best option? Regearing and changing axle shafts and drums will be expensive compared to a junk yard replacement. I don't mind cutting and welding perches, so my principle concern is width and ratio. Thanks!
I used a 69-72 A body and 3.75 offset wheels it has a very nice fit. Had to cut off the link brackets and weld on perches for my OE leaf springs. This is what it looks like.
The cutting and welding is the easy part. The locating and choosing is the part I struggle with. There aren't a lot of junkyards around me worth their salt.
A couple of links I saved when researching rear end options. I found locally a 10 bolt from a TransAm/Firebird, 3.08 gears, that already had disc brakes too. I want to say it was a '79 or '80. Cut perches, welded on new ones. I want to say the difference in width was about 1/2"?? It was close. http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/rear_ends.htm http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/whats-the-best-rear-end-swap-for-a-54-chevy-truck.93393/
I have installed 2 Colorado rears....6 lug.3.70, stock wheels need a thin spacer to clear hub center. 99 Impala SS....disc brakes. 3.08, may need a small spacer depending on wheels. Camaro/ Nova, etc. 5 lug, many gear options. S10 4x4....good fit, 5 lug. 90 Lincoln town car.......8.8, 3.08, disc brakes, 5x4.1/2 , fill the fender with a stock steelie, first rear in my truck. 95 T Bird IRS, currently in my truck, disc brakes, 3.08 limited slip.5x4.1/2 2000 blazer 4x4 with disc brakes. 3.70. 5x4.3/4 lug I know all of these fit as I have installed them. Where are you located?
I'm in Florence sc. Not far at all. The hard part for me is finding a rear axle in this one horse town. Since I'm changing bolt pattern, I can easily change the backspacing.
Dave Ackerman is in florence - on Indian, with a yellow 52. I was just there and we revived the old girl. We are going to do a 235 swap, t5, 4x4 s10 rear in the near future. I lived in Florence from 90-95 while at Francis Marion. I used to deal with L+M out past S. Flo high. Talk to Roland, long faced fella dressed way too nice to be in a junkyard. The man can work a yard all day and not get grease past his elbows. Pull a Part in Columbia is usually chock full of goodies. Southern in Darlington went to a you pull it. Take a ride up to Charlotte, I can take you to several yards.
Excellent. Thank you for the data. Seems that the existing rear is wide at ~64". I'm currently running a 7" wheel with 5" of backspace to accommodate the width. Ideally, I'd like to be a touch narrower, so the camaro/ s10 option looks desirable. I'll check your sources first and report back. Thanks!!!
