What rear end?

[Gibble]

I'll be running an Olds 425 with a TH400...my truck is still a peg leg, so needless to say, I don't feel like replacing the driver side rear tire every few weeks

What should I change my rear to?

[MylilBowTie]

Are you looking for a stronger rear-end? I would suggest some type of posi, locker for traction. The right foot usually determines if the tire(s) are getting skinned or not

[gldevall]

12 bolt with 4.56's

[Gibble]

Yep, I'm looking for better traction...as for that right foot, my mustang (rip) can attest to it's lead content

[TIMSPEED]

Originally posted by gldevall
12 bolt with 4.56's

Good Lord Gary! Hahaha I have 4.11's in my 12 Bolt and out of the hole the sucker MOVES, but on the freeway it sucks ass.

[Gibble]

And considering I do alot of highway driving...4.56s might be a tad hard on the gas bill

[Gibble]

According to an olds website this engine should have about 375-385hp (depending on the compression) and about 470lbs of torque...I'm just guessing my stock diff wouldn't survive long...if I didn't change right away!

[Opper77]

go with 3.42 or 3.73 gears; and grab a lim-slip centre section from a newer (88- up) truck...you got tons of torque so you can turn 'em easy and still get some top end out of it..... I got 3.73 and can smoke both sides with my wee8 305..its actually kinda funny...

[N2TRUX]

Normally I would say go with a 3.73 and a posi. It's hard to beat a 3.73 for a good middle of the road gear. You won't loose much mileage, but you will gain a decent amount of low end pull.

Since this motor has so much torque, and finding a complete rear end with 3.42' and a posi is possible, I suggest you look at that option...

[Gibble]

So what vehivles came with 3.73 or 3.42 with posi that I can use?

Or will I need to mix and match things...if so, from what???

[Opper77]

http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/73-87specs.html

go here and page down to the proper chart...

I also think that some years of camaro's and chevelle's had the 3.42 and/or 3.73 so you may want to consider them as donor's also...

If you get impatient (as I did) looking for the parts, yo could always piece it as I did. I might have went the more difficult way, but like I said, I got a lim-slip centre section from a '91 and found some 30 spline axles from the same year truck or suburban ( the 'burb axles are already the proper length while the truck axles have to be shortened ) and dropped all this into my 10 bolt housing....

All in all, if you can find the complete assembly, it would obviously be the easiest, but anything is possible if not...

[Gibble]

That link doesn't appear to have C10 specs...or I'm blind

[Opper77]

ya, you're right; I never really noticed it before.. sorry..

I'll see what else I can find...

[Opper77]

http://www.dalesplace.com/htm/information/axlecodes.htm

here's the camaro/chevelle ones..

[Opper77]

if the truck has the buy sheet still in the glovebox, this will help you....

http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com...s_1973-87.html

[Opper77]

If you want a stonger housing (12 bolt) us the first chart and take the whole works if you can find it...

With the mill you're running, you may need it !

[low 84]

what are your plans for the truck? if your gonna be running it down the drag strip and putting tires on it that will hook up you'd be better off getting a 12 bolt out of a 73-80 truck. it will bolt right up and with you having close to 500 ft/lbs i think it would be a better investment. not saying your 10 bolt wouldn't hold up, but i'd rather sink money into a rear end that i KNEW would take it. slap some 3.73 and an eaton posi in a 12 bolt and you will be good to go.

[Jonboy]

I was going to say a 12 bolt with 2.73 or 3.08 gears. That engine should have enough torque to use the high gear, and you may be able to wring a little mileage out of it, too.

[Gibble]

Not dragging it...might take it out once in a while, but mostly it will just be a daily driver...but it would be fun to piss off a few friends on occasion