Help Spec'ing a Rearend

[big gear head]

How wide? I have some Nova 8.5 rear ends that I can build for around that price.



Here is what I would do. I'd use the 8.5 GM rear end. It's lighter than the 9 inch and plenty strong for what you want when it is built right. I'd use a 30 spline Truetrac with 30 spline Moser axles. As for axle bearings, you have some choices. You can stay with c clip axles, which are pretty good in most cases. You can also use the Moser housing ends with the press on tapered roller bearings. These eliminate the c clips and help with side loads. The cost is higher, but the bearings are better. I've installed several sets of the ends and they work great. You can use GM brakes or any of the brakes that are avaiable for the 9 inch Ford. An 8.5 truck housing could be narrowed to the width that you need to fit your wheels exactly where you want them.

[JMarsa]

Thanks for the reply. The car already has a 8.5 10 bolt which is approximately 3" too narrow per side for the wheels I'm using.

Given the cost of a used housing, new gears, new axles and a new diff I think I can build either for about the same price.

I really don't want to have to rethink my wheel plans since I already have them.

--JMarsa