12 BOLT,What to do ??

[c10JIME]

Building a turbo small block for my 68 stepper, other than replace the 12bolt with a 9in what can i do to make it stronger ?

[tinydb84]

Weld the axle tubes. Get C clip eliminators.

[c10JIME]

What about axles ? Who do i get them from, with a 5x4 3/4 bolt circle. And does anybody make a disc brake conversion for c-clip elimators ??

[Hertzdaddy]

Drag or street? If street then c-clip eliminators aren't needed and may not even be recommended depending on who you ask. A better solution is some weld-on F**d ends, especially if you are gonna narrow it. Then you can find all sorts of disc brake options. Moser will make axles to fit the conversion.

You can get stronger axles from Moser and others with any bolt pattern you like, even with two patterns.

Some use the cast rear diff cover with the cap preload for added strength. Or high strength caps at a minimum.

Another consideration is the Explorer 8.8 with disc and posi. Replace the long side axle with a short side axle, cut the tube to fit and weld new perches. Its a cheap way to get narrowed/posi/disc. It has c-clip axles though.

[whitedog76]

I'm going to throw something out there.

Convert it to a full float. The off-road guys have been doing it for years.

There's a few different methods, usually involves welding on a spindle end though.

Of course, you would need custom made axle shafts then. Dutchmen or Mitchell can handle that though.

http://www.bc4x4.com/tech/2002/ff9/

http://www.solidaxle.com/productcart...?idCategory=10

http://www.solidaxle.com/productcart...?idCategory=11

http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/ter...ng-p-8061.html

http://www.currieenterprises.com/ces...re.aspx?id=938

http://www.dutchmanaxles.com/product...ear-axles.html

http://mitchelldifferential.com/custom-axles/

[Hertzdaddy]

Originally Posted by whitedog76

I'm going to throw something out there.

Convert it to a full float. The off-road guys have been doing it for years.

Very strong yes, but you end up with those big old hubs poking through your wheel centers. Not the best look for a 2wd street ride, IMO.

[whitedog76]

I think it's kind of cool, myself. It's a little impractical for street use, I would agree. Plus a little pricey.

Another option is to find a semi-float 14 B (9.5") rearend and simply have custom shafts cut for them. It's still a c-clip axle, but tons stronger than anything else out there. GM even used them in the Silverado SS.