What other 12 bolt rear ends will work?

[abadsvt]

Well I am going to have to narrow my rear end about 1 1/2 - 2" and i thought about what if there is another car or truck that has a 12 bolt that is a little more narrower than my trucks. Just hoping to get lucky. If there isn't any other ones and i am going to have to narrow my rearend about how much money would it cost to have it done?

Thanks Josh

[poorboy]

Maybe a Camaro or Chevelle. It might be cheaper to use a 9". How wide is your stock rearend?

[409biscayne]

Do you have the narrow 70 rear ? 68 / 69 and early 70 are about 1 1/2 in narrower . What's yours measure flange to flange ?

[abadsvt]

I will get that measurment today. Thanks Josh

[abadsvt]

From inside of the axel flange to inside of the other flange is just about 58". It was kind of hard to measure by myself so hopefully that is right. Thanks

Josh

[byrd]

I went out to my garage and measured my rear in my 69 which is the original one, and it measured about 56 1/2" from backing plate to backing plate. If you measured to the backing plate(not sure what axle flange is) too then you have a 71-2 rear end and could benefit by finding a older 6 lug rear and converting it to 5 lug. I can go by my shop tomorrow and measure my 71-2 rar end I have in project Frank if you need me to.

[Huck]

Ever think of switching to a (YIKES) FORD 8 or 9" rear? They are much more friendly to the builder in that you can set up the ring/pinion gears out of the housing so changing rear end gears is easy. They are strong. You can get a rear off an older Lincoln Versilles which is narrower, has disc brakes, can change over the spring-shock mountings and all you need to do is get the axles redrilled for your 5-6 bolt GM pattern. In a long run, you will be better off---. Yea I know--it's a ford but tell that to the thousands of guys who run street rods, drag race, etc. A ford rear is a what GM should have built!

[poorboy]

The only thing that sucks for Josh is he already had the axles redrilled and bought brakes for this rearend. I believe the pass car 12 bolts use a smaller bearing so the brakets for the brakes won't work. With the 9" you can buy new axles with the right bolt pattern in whatever width you need for a decent price. Josh I have a few 9" housings and a couple third members. If you need one of them it's yours. I think in my stash up north I have a 3rd member with a locker in it too.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by poorboy

The only thing that sucks for Josh is he already had the axles redrilled and bought brakes for this rearend. I believe the pass car 12 bolts use a smaller bearing so the brakets for the brakes won't work. With the 9" you can buy new axles with the right bolt pattern in whatever width you need for a decent price. Josh I have a few 9" housings and a couple third members. If you need one of them it's yours. I think in my stash up north I have a 3rd member with a locker in it too.

He could always sell off what he has now so it's not a total loss. I know Camaro F-body 12-bolt rears are shorter & even stronger than the truck 12-bolt.

[abadsvt]

Originally Posted by poorboy

The only thing that sucks for Josh is he already had the axles redrilled and bought brakes for this rearend. I believe the pass car 12 bolts use a smaller bearing so the brakets for the brakes won't work. With the 9" you can buy new axles with the right bolt pattern in whatever width you need for a decent price. Josh I have a few 9" housings and a couple third members. If you need one of them it's yours. I think in my stash up north I have a 3rd member with a locker in it too.

Thanks Jason thats awesome! I just want to figure out how i am going to get my width without loosing a bunch of money before i do anything. I think i might get a quote on how much it will cost to narrow my rearend first then go from there.

[abadsvt]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

He could always sell off what he has now so it's not a total loss. I know Camaro F-body 12-bolt rears are shorter & even stronger than the truck 12-bolt.

Thats very true but my truck is already over budget and i don't even have the cab on yet or a motor . I am going to get some prices on a few things first. Thanks

Josh

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by abadsvt

Thats very true but my truck is already over budget and i don't even have the cab on yet or a motor . I am going to get some prices on a few things first. Thanks

Josh

What I mean is if all you've done so far is remove the stock brackets from a stock width rear end, just re-weld them back on & sell the rear to another board member looking to change bolt patterns for the cost of the parts you already paid for. This way you're only out for the actual rear end (not that much $$).

I think the 9" would be the easiest way to go but remember.... not all disc brake 9" rears are equal. Some of the Lincoln Versallies (sp?) rears had troublesome rear brake hardware that's not readily availible for replacement. A 9" that uses later Explorer rear disc stuff would be a good investment. Check Currie Enterprises to see what they offer brake-wise w/their rear ends. They would be the hot ticket for what brake parts to get.... not to purchase the whole rear end from for anyone on a 'budget'.

Put the bed on & get it square w/the frame so you can get accurate measurements on the housing width you need. Good luck.