Thread: Rear end of choice.

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I figured there was a thread for powerplant of choice and, the rear end is what gets all that power to the ground so, what's the rear end of choice?

Well for me its whatever rear I have handy. I used a dodge rear in my roadster, cause I had one and a 38 ford rear in my T bucket 'cause I had it. Everything else has whatever came stock in 'em.

I like My 3.92 Mercedes Benz. That's the stock rear in my 83' benz that will be staying put through the 350 chevy conversion. Should cruz pretty well.

Usually, when I swap a rear end, it just gets a larger version of what was available, or a better option. Like a Spirit ges an AMC20, a cutlass gets a limited slip, something like that. Very few rear end really fail.

Oh, your car can't be any worse than my parts impala. My impala has a wrecked frame, no passanger front door and the front driverside clip is wraped up behind itself ( ran up and over gaurd- rail ). Your car is probobly worth fixing. The 81' Impala is the body car as the 82' Cutlass, correct?

Ford 9" with a Detroit Locker

http://www.reiderracing.com/detroitlocker.htm

How about the GM 10.5" corprate 14-bolt or a Dana 60? Those are probably the strongest light duty differentials.

Matt167; I had a stock rear behind my 440 in the charger and twisted the yoke right out of it. Some of the guys that had been around for awhile said that they had not seen any thing like that before. the car had spun the wheels at first then hooked, then came that big bang that none of us like to hear. Put a dana 60 in it no more problem with the rear end. All fixed till I sold it.

Vegas

I guess since I started Vegas going I should chime in. Now don't get scared but when it comes to the rear end I need educating. I am glad Vegas got this thread started. My caddy will produce probably close to 700 ft lbs. I don't know how much will be lost through my 400 th. I am open to suggestions, but I am leaning towards a nice ford 9in.

I've go an old Ford 9" with the big ring heavy duty ring gear. I'm going to narrow it put a posi in it and disc brakes. Now all the hard core racers are telling me that the big Ford rear end will take horsepower away and I should get a Dana.

I've go an old Ford 9". All the racers tell build a Dana the Ford will rob horsepower.

I guess this is where I am not quite all here. I want horsepower. I want torque. but I do not want to race. I guess I like nowing that I don't have to prove anything to anyone. But it's nice to know I can if I have to! LOL

I would definatly go with a Dana 60. The Ford 9 inch will not survive behind that motor in stock form, but the Dana should. Don't the new Cummins Dodge 1-ton trucks use a Dana 60? The Dana 60's are surviving in the back of trucks that are putting out 500+lbs of torque in a near 20,000 lb vehicle when towing a trailer. From what I have read, a stock GM 12-bolt is actually stronger than a stock Ford 9-inch, but the 9 can be made a lot stronger than the 12 for less money due to its full floating axles and the design of the casing.

Thanks GMC. I knew the standard street rod rears would not work. I am glad you guys know your rear ends!

I dont see how you can go wrong with a Ford 9 inch. They are plentiful, cheap, and alot easier to change gear ratio's. Bucu bunches of after market parts are ava. All kinds of width selections.
I never heard the statement about the Ford rear takes away power? If it does it couldnt be very much.
The Dana is a very stout rear but that sucker weighs almost 100 lbs. more then a 9 inch Ford!! Changing gears in the Dana is not a easy task. You dont have nearly the slection of after market parts ( disc brakes,etc. ) as you do with the Ford.
Both reaends will handle 700 lbs. of torque with no problem.
Just my thoughts