442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

80smetalfan · 10-19-2009, 10:17 AM

Howdy,

I just bought an '85 442 to replace my wrecked Cutlass and managed to snag an extra 80's 442 axle (a 8.5" 10-bolt with factory 4 link setup) for only $200 extra (the guy has a collection of 442s and parts). These usually go for about 4 to 5 times that much.

It's already 3.73s with a cone-clutch posi unit. My question is this:

I've searched and read a lot about putting 8.5s from trucks and 2nd gens into a 3rd gen, but has anyone tried/does anyone know about putting a 8.5 from a 442/GN/Regal T-type into 3rd gen. I will certainly get back into a 3rd gen at some point and I'm wondering if I should hold onto this or try to turn a few $$$ selling it to G-body enthusiasts and save for something else.

If I remember correctly, the truck and 2nd gen units were designed for leaf spring setups. This one was not....it was designed for a 4 link setup that I can't imagine is much different than factory 3rd gen stuff...but...I don't really know.

I can post pictures tonight if that would help.

Thanks!

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Atilla the Fun · 10-19-2009, 12:29 PM

If you try to put this 442 axle in a third gen, you're still facing a lot of custom fabrication work.

big gear head · 10-19-2009, 12:51 PM

First, the G body rear end is quite a bit narrower than a 3rd gen rear end. Second, the suspension is NOTHING like a 3rd gen. Third, if some G body people found out that you screwed up a G body 8.5 by trying to put it in a 3rd gen they might try to hang you.

Atilla the Fun · 10-19-2009, 01:39 PM

Screw those people, they have NO right to say what you can do with your axle, nor punish you for what you do with / to your axle.

80smetalfan · 10-19-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big gear head

First, the G body rear end is quite a bit narrower than a 3rd gen rear end. Second, the suspension is NOTHING like a 3rd gen. Third, if some G body people found out that you screwed up a G body 8.5 by trying to put it in a 3rd gen they might try to hang you.

Yeah...and that's AFTER they put me in front of a firing squad for putting a built small block Chevy into a numbers matching 442 car. :P
So how much narrower is narrower? Could I pull it off with some longer studs and spacers? And what kind of differences are we looking at with control arms and such?

big gear head · 10-19-2009, 06:12 PM

Why not just use a truck housing or a Caprice? Get some good money out of the 442 rear end and put it into another one. The 442 rear end has 28 spline axles and a Traction Lock. You can get something stronger than that. If you get the '99 or later truck housing you will also get larger differential bearings. You could also use a 9 inch Ford, which would be easier to fabricate the brackets and weld it together.