8.5 think ring

[hotrodneb]

Got me a series 2 posi carrier....casting # 410409N.....for the lower ratios....want to use a 3.42. I would rather install a thick ring gear rather than use the spacer. I have seen them for 7.5's all over the place but can't seem to find one for the 8.5's.

Anyone have a lead on a thick ring/pinion for the 8.5? (reasonably priced too if that isnt hoping for too much)

[Skip Fix]

I don't think anyone makes them or ever has, have to use a spacer or get a different carrier.

[hotrodneb]

OK----if no one makes them there must be a reason why-----
1-The spacers work so well?
2-The carrier isn't capable of handeling anything bigger?

[Randy67]

1. Spacers aren't a good idea, they have issues. Seems mostly to be they don't stay tight or put too much stress on the longer ring gear bolts.

2. Most likely the reason you don't see thick gears is the demand isn't there for them. Plus pretty much all the new posi diffs out there are for the 2.73 and steeper gears (higher numerically), so the gear makers don't see a need for thick gears.

[Skip Fix]

Demand. Even the thicker gears they used to offer for early Chevy pumpkin 10 bolts are no longer available. I ripped all the ring gear bolts out of one that had a spacer.

I had to find a "thin gear" to use a 3.73 with a spool for my 12 bolt as all spools are 4 series.