Please give me your advice on this. (picture)

[q2quest]

This rear end is for sale locally and is advertised as a 12 bolt posi with 3.73 gears out of a 1985 Chevy van. It supposedly measures 60" drum to drum. Does anyone see a problem with me cutting the brackets and perches off and welding on new ones for my minitub project on my 68 Camaro? Is this rear end similar to the 12 bolts used on first gens? Is it as strong? Anyone?https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[q2quest]

Nevermind. The guy remeasured it and it's 60" backing plate to backing plate.

[chicane67]

12 bolt truck assemblies are actually weaker than the 12 bolt passenger car assemblies. The pinion gear shaft in the truck diff is smaller than the passenger car gear set..... which is where the weakness lies.

Basically, the truck assemblies are about as strong as the GM 8.2 because of the pinion shaft diameter. The ring gear diameter and axle shaft of the truck assembly are the only (but marginal at best) improvements over the 8.2. There is no replacement for the 12 bolt passenger car assemblies or an aftermarket 9".

[q2quest]

Thank you for the info.

[Mean 69]

On the point of welding on new brackets after cutting off the old ones, I'd proceed with caution. Welding axle tubes, or any meatl for that matter can easily distort/bend the tubing, in the case of an axle assembly, a bent housing can result in strange tire wear, and funny handling characteristics. You'd be surprised at how sensitive this can be, it depends upon a lot of factor (amount of heat being the most obvious), but is probably something left to a chassis fabrication shop, they can check for straightness and correct as necessary if they are a capable shop.

Mark