Camaro rear?

[slck57]

Guys, I am building a 57 short bed stepside and have a chance to pickup a built disc brake rearend out of a 79 camaro. I was wondering if anyone knows if a 18x9.5 wheel with 5.5 bs will fit in the render? Thanks. Also the rear has been lowered with the TCI lowering springs.

[1project2many]

The older F car axles are some of the wider axles GM used. They're 62.5" wide. The original axles in our trucks are a bit narrower... about an inch and a half if I remember correctly. It might be usable with offset wheels... I've never tried so can't help there.

But if the axle is cheap then it might be worth picking up even if you can't use the whole thing. Many of those axles were found in 79-80 Firebird Formula WS6 cars and they came with performance gears and posi. If you get a different 8.5" axle that fits the truck better then you can use the gears, posi, and disc brakes from the F-car rear.

[mdpaulson1]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

The older F car axles are some of the wider axles GM used. They're 62.5" wide. The original axles in our trucks are a bit narrower... about an inch and a half if I remember correctly. It might be usable with offset wheels... I've never tried so can't help there.

But if the axle is cheap then it might be worth picking up even if you can't use the whole thing. Many of those axles were found in 79-80 Firebird Formula WS6 cars and they came with performance gears and posi. If you get a different 8.5" axle that fits the truck better then you can use the gears, posi, and disc brakes from the F-car rear.

I'm running an 87 camaro rear with drums,limited slip and it works great. My rear wheels are 17 x 8 and have extra room to spare. I don't know the diffrence in width between mine and yours

[1958Warrior]

70-81 Camaro/ firebird rear is 61.5" drum to drum outside

[Trucknut57]

I am current running a 1972 Camaro rear axle and am using the TCI rear spring setup. I'm running 17x8's with zero offset, tires are 255/60/17. I had to use 1/4" spacers to keep the tires from rubbing on the bed side.
I probably should have used the 1/2" spacers on each side or went with a 245 rear tire.

[OrrieG]

It seems it is pretty common when a Camaro or Firebird front clip is used the rearend is also used. There is a guy around here

http://boise.craigslist.org/pts/5073717501.html

that has done a bunch and from the photos there is nothing special about the wheels and tires.

[55dude]

camaro didn't have rear disc brakes in 1979 so you might want to further some research of it's origin, post some pictures.

[OrrieG]

http://www.nastyz28.com/2gcog/rearaxle.html

to id the axle

[1project2many]

camaro didn't have rear disc brakes in 1979 so you might want to further some research of it's origin, post some pictures.

No, but the Formula Firebird did. I have two of the rear disc setups in my parts bins.
http://www.78ta.com/ws6.php

[Russell Ashley]

Not to highjack, but I also have a 1980 Trans Am disk/posi rear to install in my 57. My son gave it to me so the price was good. I have Corvette 8 inch rallies with 235/75/15 ww tires. Does any know if I will have any tire rubbing issues with this setup? Again, sorry if anyone considers this a high jack.

[BIGglaSS]

Though I have not tried a Camaro rear end, I have done enough measurements to say that a 9.5" wheel with 5.5" backspace is going to be really close if the rear end is 61.5". If it is 62.5", it probably won't fit. If you keep the overall width under 71.5" with wheels and tires mounted, there will be no rubbing. 72" is close with a little bit of fender tweaking. With a wheel that wide and a 275 tire, you'll probably have to do a mini-tub.

The 235 tire on 8" wheel will fit no problem as long as it doesn't have a lot of negative offset.