What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

I hear that the 9 inch ford rear end is very strong and dependable for drag racing, but I'm also curious about the 8 inch ford rear end. Which out of the following will best work? I'm not looking to anything fancy or expensive to put in my truck yet.

1984 Camaro rear end? Limited slip posi track
9 inch ford rear end?
8 inch ford rear end?
OR
The stock 12 bolt rear end I have in the truck now?

I'm running about 480 hp and 580 FPT and a turbo 400 automatic transmission.

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

I would go with the 9" (and wish I would have thought about this more before I built up my 12 bolt)

I'm no rearend expert, but the way I understand it is the 9" doesn't use C-clips which is a big safety factor for drag racing. You can also narrow it easily and is available with higher spline count (35+). Additionally, you can swap out center section fairly easily if you need to change gears. [say it was set up with 4.56 gears for drag race only, then you wanted to do hot rod power tour, so you got a 3.73 center section for a good highway comprimise]

The Ford 8.8s also have a good reputation in the Jeep world for off roading, but that may be due to the similarities in size/fitment between jeeps and explorer and the super weak Dana 35s that are in a lot of jeeps. Though, I believe a lot of mustangs run the 8.8s and are beat on at the track.

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

Thanks. I figured you where going to pick the 9 inch for working the best. This is strictly drag race truck only.
But I am pretty curious about the camaro rear end as for I have a '84 complete camaro sitting in the back yard collecting dust.

I'm also curious to know if the front sub frame of the camaro will fit on my truck and what all I would have to do to get it to work?

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

3rd and 4th gen camaro rear end suck! I know A LOT of guys with LS1 camaros that have broken them stock. I did too with a stock T/A on street tires.

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

I destoryed the axle in my 89 RS with a bone stock 350, they are pretty weak.

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

I have a 12 bolt in my 72 GMC. I want to make it posi...but need some advice. What is an affordable and dependable way? I have looked at the Eaton and Auburn posi track/locks. What is better and will it be a 30 spline?
Thanks.

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

9" also has additional pinion support/bearing at rear, similiar to 14 bolt GM

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

Go 9"

Yes the 72 12 bolt will be 30 spline. Eaton is rebuild-able, Auburn is not.

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

The 8" is a better rear end than I think people give credit.i have one in my 57 with a modified 396 pushin it.it doesn't get a steady diet of track use,but I don't worry about it when I push on the loud pedal.
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Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

The 9" rear end is the way to go. I ran a Dodge Monaco in the demo derby and everyone was aiming at my weak Dodge rear axle. Little did they know, I put a Ford 9" under there and it took some hard hits with no damage.

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

What kind of vehicles can I find a good 9" out of that will work best for these years of trucks?

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

late 70s lincolns...

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

i picked up a 6 lug 14 bolt semi-floater (9.5"), having the axles drilled to 5x5 with disk brakes & a trutrac, comes stock with 33 spline axles.

just another option, & should bolt right up if you can find a 3/4 ton one.

the 9" is a better choice, pinion support, non c-clip but i wanted to stay all GM.

this rear is used in the 454SS trucks & Trailblazer SS's as well.

Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s
 

Just get a 9inch and be done with it. Make sure you get the big bearing housing, and the center section you really want has a "N" for nodular iron right on it. If you get those 2 things youll be bullet proof.