My '88 10 bolt 2.73 open rear is going to rust away if I don't do something with it. I had a 1984 3.23 rear I bought for $150 put in but I'm not pleased with it. It whines a lot at times, mostly when I am coasting. I know it won't last too long.

My 2.73 has drum brakes and I will just keep those. I want 3.73 gears and posi. I've heard good things about Auburn gears and Eaton posi units.

What all will I need to buy to make it as bullet proof as possible? I don't want to spend over $2000 on a brand new complete rear. Please be specific because I know very little about this area of the car. Thank you.

:hail:IROC-Z

I just rebuilt mine, and installed it Sun. I spent about 1,000.00 and did ALL of the labor. Would I do it again? NO. I would have bought a 12 bolt or a 9' ford for it. And I got some deals on some parts. New eaton posi, moser 28 spline axles, and an install bear kit with axle bearings and seals. From gearsareus.com A little over 700.00 shipped. New 410 motive performance gears 127.00 shipped[ ebay]. New 10 bolt summit girdle, 115.00 shipped [ ebay]. I wish now I would have went with the 12 bolt, being I had a 10 bolt from a 2nd gen , I could have used the brakes from. They're won't be a lot of differance if you can't do the work yourself. Probably the shipping on the whole rearend.

If you want is as bullet proof as possible, you really need to just toss the stock 10 bolt.
If you want to strengthen the stock 10 bolt, get some 2 series 3.73 gears and install a powertrax lock-right locker(very streetable), install all new timkin bearings, synthetic lube. On further, you could have the axle tubes welded, install a support cover, solid pinion spacer, ect. The problem is that you will make the 10 bolt stronger, but your engine could still rip that 7.5 inch ring gear apart.