which would you do?

[lotussutol]

I currently have a ford 8.8 limited slip rear with 3.73 gearing. it is stock with drum brakes.

I can get a 69 camaro rear with aftermarket axles, posi or limited slip... and 4.56 gears for next to nothing.

Here is what my concern is...

Rear End Ratio: 4.56
@ Desired MPH: 65
Tire Diameter (Height) in Inches: 27
Over Drive Ratio (1 for no OD): .7
RPM at Given MPH: 2582

Rear End Ratio: 4.56
@ Desired MPH: 75
Tire Diameter (Height) in Inches: 27
Over Drive Ratio (1 for no OD): .7
RPM at Given MPH: 2979

It is still under 3k so it seems like it should be ok. right?

normally the truck will be an around town cruiser but I will be driving it to the coast and vegas some too.

EDIT...part of the appeal of the camaro rear is that it is the same bolt pattern as the front.

[mcarrel]

I thing the 4.56 is way too low gear if you want to make any trips. I would go with the Ford 8.8 w/3.73 that is what I have. Should cruise at a nice RPM on the highway. Talk to Richard at North Race Cars http://northracecars.com/ he can make you new hardened axles for the 8.8 with any bolt pattern you want I think it was about $150. make sure the width of the axle will work for your application. My project here http://www.tagworld.com/azmark

Originally Posted by lotussutol

I currently have a ford 8.8 limited slip rear with 3.73 gearing. it is stock with drum brakes.

I can get a 69 camaro rear with aftermarket axles, posi or limited slip... and 4.56 gears for next to nothing.

Here is what my concern is...

Rear End Ratio: 4.56
@ Desired MPH: 65
Tire Diameter (Height) in Inches: 27
Over Drive Ratio (1 for no OD): .7
RPM at Given MPH: 2582

Rear End Ratio: 4.56
@ Desired MPH: 75
Tire Diameter (Height) in Inches: 27
Over Drive Ratio (1 for no OD): .7
RPM at Given MPH: 2979

It is still under 3k so it seems like it should be ok. right?

normally the truck will be an around town cruiser but I will be driving it to the coast and vegas some too.

EDIT...part of the appeal of the camaro rear is that it is the same bolt pattern as the front.

[lotussutol]

Originally Posted by mcarrel

I thing the 4.56 is way too low gear if you want to make any trips. I would go with the Ford 8.8 w/3.73 that is what I have. Should cruise at a nice RPM on the highway. Talk to Richard at North Race Cars http://northracecars.com/ he can make you new hardened axles for the 8.8 with any bolt pattern you want I think it was about $150. make sure the width of the axle will work for your application. My project here http://www.tagworld.com/azmark

i asked him about it...he said since mine is for a exploder the stuff he makes disc brake wise if for the mustang 8.8

another guy i know has a brand new rebuilt 8.8 with 4.10 gears, aftermarket axles, rebuild kit, with disc for a few hundred bucks...i may just use my stock 8.8 and save my money.

[mcarrel]

I also almost went with the Ford Exploder rear axle (they are the right widthmany with disk) but I found out the pinion is off set by like 2 1/2 I didn't like that. May work ok but I wanted the pinion centered. Good luck finding what you need.

Originally Posted by lotussutol

i asked him about it...he said since mine is for a exploder the stuff he makes disc brake wise if for the mustang 8.8

another guy i know has a brand new rebuilt 8.8 with 4.10 gears, aftermarket axles, rebuild kit, with disc for a few hundred bucks...i may just use my stock 8.8 and save my money.

[lotussutol]

Originally Posted by mcarrel

I also almost went with the Ford Exploder rear axle (they are the right widthmany with disk) but I found out the pinion is off set by like 2 1/2 I didn't like that. May work ok but I wanted the pinion centered. Good luck finding what you need.

yeah i have heard of people buying two and combining them...they end up with a shortened and wider rear. wonder if it really works.

[1-ton of fun]

just have a machine shop redrill your ford axles for the chevy pattern and press in new studs

[pgf545]

You could get the Camaro rear end and chang the gears to something smaller. It will have the 4 series carrier so I think the smallest gear would be a 4.11. It looks like you are using a overdrive transmission so that would also kill some of the gear ratio. If the price is right then a gear swap might be cheaper than buying axles.

Bernie