Rear End Choice - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Shak · 09-28-2013, 08:21 PM

I have an opportunity to pick up a 94 Firebird rear end, 3.42 gears, limited slip, with disc brakes, for about $175 dollars, for my 51 AD project. I believe it is just over 60", which is what I think the stock length rears are. Any thoughts on this choice? If not, what would be a good choice, keeping ease in finding and reasonably priced in mind. My truck came with the wrong rear end, with all sorts of issues. I'm kind of new to this, so any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

xaircav · 09-28-2013, 09:47 PM

The most common rear AD owners use (me included) is a Nova/Camaro 8.5" 10 bolt from 70's era cars. Several venders sell install kits to bolt up to the old springs. The Firebird rear you contemplate has a 7.625 ring gear. 8.5" 10 bolts are a dime a dozen, strong and have a lot of after market support. I got my mine for $50

mr48chev · 09-28-2013, 10:20 PM

i'd follow what zaircay said and go with a second generation Firebird, Camaro or Nova rear end works pretty well.

Over the years I have had a number of rear ends in my 48.
I started with a 61 Chev Impala rear end with all of the brackets cut off and pads welded on. Then a 67/8 Camaro rear end that I ran for quite a while. I rebuilt the truck from the ground up and used a 65 Impala 12 bolt posi that actually fit quite well. It was a bit wide for the 10 inch wide Crager Mach 8 wheels and N-50 14 tires I was running though. Then back to a 70 something Nova rear end that is under it now. The Nova doesn't give much room between the tires and the bed sides unless you run reverse (negative offset) rims though.

Shak · 09-28-2013, 11:57 PM

My intention is to run a four link suspension with coil overs, and junk the existing spring set up. Does this change anyone's mind as to my rear end choices?

_Ogre · 09-29-2013, 11:56 AM

i used an 86 trans am rearend in my 58 truk, same width as the one your looking at.
rear disc, posi, 3.27 gear, cost me $200. it fits well. tire burner w/ gas mileage

the parking brake feature is junk on mine. i think they changed that after 92.
the installation ''kit'' consists of spring pads, a plate and u-bolts. bought mine at a trailer supply for $29.
go for it

miknjan · 09-29-2013, 11:02 PM

I picked up a posi/disc rear end from a 79 TransAm.. Fits perfect, Im using a 4 link rear end as well.

DV8

09-28-2013, 08:21 PM	#1
Shak Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Spring Valley, CA Posts: 49	Rear End Choice I have an opportunity to pick up a 94 Firebird rear end, 3.42 gears, limited slip, with disc brakes, for about $175 dollars, for my 51 AD project. I believe it is just over 60", which is what I think the stock length rears are. Any thoughts on this choice? If not, what would be a good choice, keeping ease in finding and reasonably priced in mind. My truck came with the wrong rear end, with all sorts of issues. I'm kind of new to this, so any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

09-28-2013, 09:47 PM	#2
xaircav Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wheat Ridge, Colo. Posts: 300	Re: Rear End Choice The most common rear AD owners use (me included) is a Nova/Camaro 8.5" 10 bolt from 70's era cars. Several venders sell install kits to bolt up to the old springs. The Firebird rear you contemplate has a 7.625 ring gear. 8.5" 10 bolts are a dime a dozen, strong and have a lot of after market support. I got my mine for $50

09-28-2013, 10:20 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,301	Re: Rear End Choice i'd follow what zaircay said and go with a second generation Firebird, Camaro or Nova rear end works pretty well. Over the years I have had a number of rear ends in my 48. I started with a 61 Chev Impala rear end with all of the brackets cut off and pads welded on. Then a 67/8 Camaro rear end that I ran for quite a while. I rebuilt the truck from the ground up and used a 65 Impala 12 bolt posi that actually fit quite well. It was a bit wide for the 10 inch wide Crager Mach 8 wheels and N-50 14 tires I was running though. Then back to a 70 something Nova rear end that is under it now. The Nova doesn't give much room between the tires and the bed sides unless you run reverse (negative offset) rims though. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

09-28-2013, 11:57 PM	#4
Shak Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Spring Valley, CA Posts: 49	Re: Rear End Choice My intention is to run a four link suspension with coil overs, and junk the existing spring set up. Does this change anyone's mind as to my rear end choices?

09-29-2013, 11:56 AM	#5
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,670	Re: Rear End Choice i used an 86 trans am rearend in my 58 truk, same width as the one your looking at. rear disc, posi, 3.27 gear, cost me $200. it fits well. tire burner w/ gas mileage the parking brake feature is junk on mine. i think they changed that after 92. the installation ''kit'' consists of spring pads, a plate and u-bolts. bought mine at a trailer supply for $29. go for it __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

09-29-2013, 11:02 PM	#6
miknjan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Orting WA. Posts: 16	Re: Rear End Choice I picked up a posi/disc rear end from a 79 TransAm.. Fits perfect, Im using a 4 link rear end as well. DV8



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