I am not sure if I am reading the item description correct or not for Chevy Dutys rear end conversion kit but can I use a rear end from any 60-72 with a 61" plate to plate measurment? And I just need the conversion kit to use a newer rear end with these measurements? While I am at it does anyone have a rearend preferably out of a '64 or whatever year will work. I would like a '64 with 4:11 gears or a newer one with 3:55 gears. I will go ahead and check the archives I am sure this is not the first time this has been asked. Thanks
In your 64 you can bolt in, up to a 72 rear end. It all bolts up just like the old one. I would choose a 65 to 72. The axles changed in 65 and parts , like posi's, axles, ring & pinion, are easier to find. Up to 69, (I think, somebody help me here) was a six bolthub, 70-72 gets you five bolt hubs. But bottom line, it bolts in with no kit needed. I think the kit you are talking about here is to use ANY rear that had leaf springs. The kit has saddles that are welded to the axle tubes that mount to the 64 trailing arms, right? DValentine
Once again, 'd' is correct on all counts. I have just gone through the same nightmare with the rear in MY '64. I have spent about 3 months researching when I could. My questions were simple enough and straightforward. I got a different answer(opinion)every time I spoke with one of the 'experts'. I finally ended up at a place called Randy's Ring and Pinion(www.ring-pinion.com). I finally found answers. The big difference everyone talks about between the '63 and '64 and everything else is those years used 17 spline axles, carrier, etc. They are not longer OR shorter than the rest, just a different # of spines. Since I wanted to use my original rearend shell, I will have to replace the carrier AND purchase new axles(30 spline). I will install a master bearing kit also. Yes, cost is a concern, but I would rather pay the $765 for the COMPLETE kit from Randy's than have someone weld mounts on a different rear and worry about it having the correct angle. I purchased a rearend rebuilding video, too. I was really surprised at the few parts in a rear and the relative simplicity of rebuilding one. If you are interested in the video site, let me know. I spoke with an Eaton rep and he said that the Eaton posi would NOT fit in this rear. The guys at Randy's said ANY 4 series truck carrier, Chevy, 12-bolt, 8 7/8" ring gear would fit. That's all I wanted to know. Good luck. Jarhead
Randy's Ring & Pinion is one of the TOP rear end guys in the country. ( except for this guy named Cornell I went to high school with,,, but that's another story.) Randy's have been written up many times in magazines and has top notch customer service with experts available to answer questions. I rate them a 10. DValentine Oh yea, Semper Fi.....
