OK< what rear axle can I get! (again)

[Denee007]

I go from one problem to another despite fixing them, which is good!

I took the truck around the neighborhood to make sure it was running ok after finding I had a couple bad "new" wires! While driving around the neighborhood, I felt/heard a subtle grumble, or growl. I turned off my AC, and just coasted in neutral.
Got it back home, jacked up the rear, and ran it again. The rumble is definitely coming from the rear end! Also the new yoke that I put in with a new seal is spraying 90wt all over the place sliinging from the yoke/driveshaft!
I honestly don't remember why I didn't hear this before! I thought the axle was OK! I didn't complete the parking brake cables until I was sure the rear end was OK, that's why I went and got the new wheels too.

So, back to the drawing board! should have gone by my poor instincts and bought another rear axle.
What axle will go in my truck? Sylvester, a guy that I know has a Ford rear axle out of a truck, has about a 100k on it. But what other options are available?

[thump16]

I picked up a 67 c10 rear end, I bought moser 5 lug axles to replace stock 6. 2nd gen camaros, any c10 rear from 60-87 keepin in mind that 72 & up are a little longer wheel base to wheel base.
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[thump16]

Ford explorer, ford 9" rears are a bonus as well.
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[bobinbc]

That rearend is from the impala right? I think that is 64 inches wide, Someone mentioned a S10 ZR2 rear is 63 inches, 8.5 ring gear (strong) and comes with posi. Also it is 5 0n 4.75 bolt pattern.

[Denee007]

The rear end is out that's in the truck now is approximately an 84ish GM. I need to go measure the width this morning. It's just about too wide as the rear tires just miss the fenders. So if it were to encounter a large bump, I think it would be Ok! So a little narrower would be better.

Thump, Bob, at least you've given me some choices! guess I'll get busy looking around today!

[dwcsr]

I have a ZR2 rear for an S10 i'm using on a project but if you want to come over and measure you can. 2000 up have disc. I thought that rear you had was redone?

[Denee007]

Hey Dave! I was going to drive my truck to your shop, but back up on the lift it goes!

The story: The man that built my Th350, said he could build my rear axle. He said 400 for the build even with the broke off pin inside that holds the carrier. Took it to him, he kind of disappeared, three weeks later he called and said could just polish the spider bearings and that the rest looked OK and replaced the axle bearings while there. He charged my 50 bucks. I asked about the pinion seal and bearing, but he said it all looked to be OK. I emphasized about the pinion seal looking that it obviously had been leaking at one time in its life. He went on to say it was OK.

I got the axle home, did the minimum to install it(no parking brake), didn't even paint it. I went to fill it with 90wt, and immediately started leaking out the pinion seal! I bought a new yoke/seal, and did tell him.

With the old tires still on, I drove the truck 15 miles or so, and didn't hear/feel any strange noises, so I thought everything was OK. Then the engine developed a miss just recently, I found two bad wires(even though they were new), replaced them and the truck ran smooth again. I took the truck around the block, and immediately heard a low rumble noise, very faint, but noticeable at about 15-25 mph. I put the rear axle up on jack stands and started the engine, put it in drive and let it idle at about whatever speed at idle. I listened with a long skinny screwdriver placed on the rear axle, and pretty loud, but no loudness on the output shaft of the transmission(th350). Then I noticed a slug spray of 90 wt on the ground. The pinion is still leaking, but at this point it doesn't even matter except for the cleanup of axle grease on the bottom of the bed!

So, this afternoon I'll be removing the rear axle. I have a man (auto repair shop) that he himself restored a 67 Chevelle, and is familiar with classics. He said drop the axle off and he'd take a look at it, but I don't know if I even want to deal with this rear end. I'm removing the rear axle anyway.
So, that's where it stands.

Yes, I'd like to come over and take a measurement, that would be good! My mechanic friend said he could help me locate a rear axle through the used parts hotline.
dne'

[_Ogre]

lots of good info here http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs&rearend.htm scroll way down
i have a 3rd gen trans am in my truck. had to remove all the mounts and add spring pads.
i get 20mpg with the 3.27 gear in it, though it is light duty, i do not haul loads with my truck

[Ferrofil]

Whats the original axel-width?
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[Denee007]

Wow Ogre, thanks, that really helps! Looks like the factory rear axle flange to flange is 62". Ferrofil in Sweden! Hey, welcome!!! Where you able to open Orges link?
dne'

[Ferrofil]

Thank you Denee!
I guess I'm a bit lazy, missed Ogre's link! :-)
I'm trying to figure out how much work it would be to put front and rear from a Jaguar in my Panel...they are quite cheap here and easy to come by...
By the way, I put up an avatar thanks to you!
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[Denee007]

I'm so pleased to have been an inspiration on you putting an avatar up! I love your avatar! Ok, now who's the statue of? As for Jag stuff, I know I've read about it on here, but know nothing of it. I'm having enough trouble just getting my system to work!
Your new friend here on the other side of the world! (give or take a few miles!) lol
dne'

http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/ifs&rearend.htm

[Ferrofil]

The face behind me is of Birger Jarl, the founder of Stockholm and is placed on the wall of the townhall..
Its always nice to have a face to the words...
I have an tendency to take little different route with things...hence the Jag I guess!
But they are great rides, really good on the road and comfortable too! I hope I can use steering-parts
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[Denee007]

Just want to make sure this is the correct way to measure the width. I'm using two screwdrivers held by vice gripes so I can do this alone and accurate.

So from outside of the flange where a wheel bolts up is 63.5" ? no wonder my wheels are so close to my tires. The original axle is 62".

[arturo7]

Another vote for the Ford 9". Bulletproof, + swappable 3rd member for taller gears.

[Denee007]

Nobody is saying anything about how the driveshaft bolts back up? will I be having my driveshaft made to fit the next rear axle/yoke?

[Denee007]

Didn't your write that already somewhere? Alright, I'll look around for a 9" Ford rear end; only place I know to look is CL.

Originally Posted by arturo7

Another vote for the Ford 9". Bulletproof, + swappable 3rd member for taller gears.

[Ferrofil]

Arturo saying the same thing that people are telling me...the Ford 9" is a breeze to work with, lots of different gearings, bulletproof, different widths and so forth...
So I'll go with the Jag Jag just be irritating! :-)
But seriusly, it seems like the Ford is the way go!
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[Denee007]

Well, sure is hot! I went over to visit Dave Chapman, he invited me to take look and take measurements of a neat axle that he had there for one of his projects, or customers trucks. Looked very nice!

However, on the way home, I stopped by discount tires to see if they could help me on the wheels I had just bought, but they can't! He said he'd give me a little break, but a very little break. See, I have a 5 on 5 rear whereas my fronts are 5 on 4 3/4 lug pattern. If I went with a cool axle like Dave was showing, I'd have to take a pretty large loss on buying new wheels. This is complicated!

I wonder if the Ford 9" is 5 on 5? That would solve a problem. Have to do a little homework right now for an axle. AT least it's not like pulling an engine!
dne'

[Indian113]

Ford is 5 on 4 1/2

[Denee007]

thanks, finding that out

Originally Posted by Indian113

Ford is 5 on 4 1/2

[Indian113]

Sorry your having so many problems with your truck right now. Keep a smile on your face and tackle one at a time. To stay with the 5 on 5 you need to find a 1/2 ton Chevy as far as width's I'm not a expert on them.

[Denee007]

Thank you, yeah, my husband has noticed I'm not smiling very much lately I think I'll take my rear end apart tomorrow and see what's going on, why it's being such a butt!

Originally Posted by Indian113

Sorry your having so many problems with your truck right now. Keep a smile on your face and tackle one at a time. To stay with the 5 on 5 you need to find a 1/2 ton Chevy as far as width's I'm not a expert on them.

[butchp]

I used a 2nd gen from the camaro I got the sub from. It had a 2:73 gear replaced that with new 3:73, new bearings seals and added c-clip elemanators.In one of our truck mags they compare a 2nd gen to a 9" ford and you get 5 on 4/3 bolt circle. The 2nd gen is 62.5 wide.

[Ferrofil]

You can have whatever boltpattern you wish on the Ford axel, at additonal of course, but...
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