What would be the best rear end ?'s - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*low&slow* · 01-16-2012, 01:01 AM

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.

Ackattack · 01-16-2012, 01:09 AM

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.

*low&slow* · 01-16-2012, 01:23 AM

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?

Ackattack · 01-16-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by low&slow

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?

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.

bigkountry · 01-16-2012, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ackattack

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.

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

Jarwood · 01-16-2012, 09:13 PM

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.

BLK96 · 01-16-2012, 11:15 PM

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

usmcchevy · 01-16-2012, 11:29 PM

Go 9"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarwood

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.

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

mixermike · 01-16-2012, 11:38 PM

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.
Posted via Mobile Device

KrazyRay · 01-17-2012, 12:55 AM

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.

*low&slow* · 01-30-2012, 03:34 AM

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

TrkEnvy · 01-30-2012, 03:56 AM

late 70s lincolns...

kSStamp0182 · 01-30-2012, 06:18 AM

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.

TheCustomFactory · 01-30-2012, 06:33 AM

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.

01-16-2012, 01:01 AM	#1
low&slow Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kuna, Idaho Posts: 1,046	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.

01-16-2012, 01:09 AM	#2
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	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. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

01-16-2012, 01:23 AM	#3
low&slow Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kuna, Idaho Posts: 1,046	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?

01-16-2012, 09:13 PM	#6
Jarwood Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jefferson, Georgia Posts: 248	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.

01-16-2012, 11:15 PM	#7
BLK96 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 29	Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s 9" also has additional pinion support/bearing at rear, similiar to 14 bolt GM

01-16-2012, 11:38 PM	#9
mixermike Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Post Falls, Idaho Posts: 606	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. Posted via Mobile Device

01-17-2012, 12:55 AM	#10
KrazyRay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 4,827	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.

01-30-2012, 03:34 AM	#11
low&slow Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kuna, Idaho Posts: 1,046	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?

01-30-2012, 03:56 AM	#12
TrkEnvy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 264	Re: What would be the best rear end ?'s late 70s lincolns...

01-30-2012, 06:18 AM	#13
kSStamp0182 LSX addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 262	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. __________________ -1982 C10 SWB GMC Sierra [undergoing 6.0/4L80E swap with mild restoration]

01-30-2012, 06:33 AM	#14
TheCustomFactory Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Leesville, LA Posts: 32	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.



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