8.5 10 bolt possible?
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On The Tree
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From: Northwest Indiana (Highland)
8.5 10 bolt possible? I was wondering if anyone has swapped for a 8.5 10 bolt. It doesmt seem like it would cost alot, whith the exception of making and mounting a TA mount. The bigger ring gear should be able to handle sticky tires with an automatic if done properly.
So has anyone successfully swapped to this rear, or even considered it?
So has anyone successfully swapped to this rear, or even considered it?
Originally Posted by Brief Encounter
I was wondering if anyone has swapped for a 8.5 10 bolt. It doesmt seem like it would cost alot, whith the exception of making and mounting a TA mount. The bigger ring gear should be able to handle sticky tires with an automatic if done properly.
So has anyone successfully swapped to this rear, or even considered it?
So has anyone successfully swapped to this rear, or even considered it?
i think it might be hard to find one, i think they stopped making those 25 years ago, im not sure, i know i have one in my 1980 camaro and that took a lot of abuse, so they are very strong.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Las Vegas
Originally Posted by axisT6
The 8.5 10 bolt is great when built properly. It also has a larger pinion shaft and pinion bearings then the 12 bolt. An 8.5 10 bolt with alloy shafts, and a tru-trac would be a nice piece.
This is not at all true. It does however, have a larger pinion shaft and bearings than that of the Truck 12 bolt... but, not the passenger car differential. Which includes the OE 67-70, the newer KTRE, Moser and Strange 12 bolt housings.
Although... I have seen a very limitied and few 8.5's converted to the late model f-body. I have always wondered why it has not been done more. With the 8.5" housings being so plentiful... all you have to do is come up with the torque arm mount... and that has been done a few different ways already. In fact, SummersBrothers used to do conversions of the early 12 bolt into the late 80's f-body.
Last edited by chicane; May 27, 2007 at 10:54 PM.
The late 80's GNX had a 8.5 with a torque arm, and I believe it was a bolt on piece. They are strong rears, and if you could get a later model one they have 30 spline axles(89-up) and larger OD carrier bearings(99-up). You could also upgrade the earlier carrier bearings to a larger ID since that was a weak link (spun bearings on the carriers as pretty common).
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Originally Posted by chicane
Oops. Strike one.
This is not at all true. It does however, have a larger pinion shaft and bearings than that of the Truck 12 bolt... but, not the passenger car differential. Which includes the OE 67-70, the newer KTRE, Moser and Strange 12 bolt housings.
Although... I have seen a very limitied and few 8.5's converted to the late model f-body. I have always wondered why it has not been done more. With the 8.5" housings being so plentiful... all you have to do is come up with the torque arm mount... and that has been done a few different ways already. In fact, SummersBrothers used to do conversions of the early 12 bolt into the late 80's f-body.
This is not at all true. It does however, have a larger pinion shaft and bearings than that of the Truck 12 bolt... but, not the passenger car differential. Which includes the OE 67-70, the newer KTRE, Moser and Strange 12 bolt housings.
Although... I have seen a very limitied and few 8.5's converted to the late model f-body. I have always wondered why it has not been done more. With the 8.5" housings being so plentiful... all you have to do is come up with the torque arm mount... and that has been done a few different ways already. In fact, SummersBrothers used to do conversions of the early 12 bolt into the late 80's f-body.
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On The Tree
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From: Northwest Indiana (Highland)
So, with a little work, IE- TA mount, disk brakes, shock mounts... it would take some abuse.
Im thinking of going this route, and if it doesnt take the power, I can always go 9".
But I could prolly get this done for considerablly less than a 9" or 12 bolt, so its worth a shot.
Im thinking of going this route, and if it doesnt take the power, I can always go 9".
But I could prolly get this done for considerablly less than a 9" or 12 bolt, so its worth a shot.
I had a 87 GMC full size Jimmy and I'm pretty sure it was a 8.5" 10 bolt. But it makes me wonder cause if it was a 7.5" i put that truck through hell and back until the rear finally let loose at 175K miles. That being 2 minute long burnouts with 33 inch tires.
edit: and several mudding outtings etc etc... and it wasn't even the ring/pinion gears i blew up the spider gears in the diff.
But i'd be willing to spend a few hundred to convert a 8.5" than dish 2500 on a 9 inch.
edit: and several mudding outtings etc etc... and it wasn't even the ring/pinion gears i blew up the spider gears in the diff.
But i'd be willing to spend a few hundred to convert a 8.5" than dish 2500 on a 9 inch.
Originally Posted by craz1469
good luck finding one...I have been on the lookout for 1 for year for my monte carlo
Trying to find a direct olt in one for a g-body is hard since it was only available in Grand Nationals.
I'd like to see someone post that has done this and what it took to fab it up to fit? Cause i could probably one of these rears out of a junkyard for 50 bucks and totally build it for about 800-1000.
Launching!
Joined: May 2007
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From: knoxville tn
i was thinking about doing the same thing. for me i think the 9'' would be overkill. an old man told me one time that a 8.5 could be better than a 12 bolt or a 9''. at the time i didn't believe them. but you see all these mustang guy's biulding their 8.8's instead of going to a 9''. makes you wonder why.
i have fabbed up many 3rd gens to have the 8.5 rear they are plentiful 74-81 f-bodies,nova's as well,86-87 GN of course.this company makes the bolting in of any rear end is possible(except IRS).i will NEVER run a 9" due to the weight and how inefficient the ring and pinion are set up in there(not talking crap,they are strong!!!!!)there are many 9sec GN's with a 8.5 still in it,weld axle tubes,moser axles,auburn or ?,spool,c-clip eliminator...
most 9'' guys say that they like it for ease of gear change, pfffttt!just how many times are you gonna change your gears out?
http://www.g-forcesuspension.com/pag...og/i.php/81/55
most 9'' guys say that they like it for ease of gear change, pfffttt!just how many times are you gonna change your gears out?
http://www.g-forcesuspension.com/pag...og/i.php/81/55
Last edited by 96lt1m6; May 30, 2007 at 10:12 AM.
So if I bought this kit along with a 10 bolt from a 1/2 ton pickup it would bolt in besides the welding of the control arm brackets? And the welds can be done without warping the housing?
