Is there a step by step removal guide for the rear end on a thirdgen, fixxing to swap mine out, and have never done this kinda thing on a third gen....Also, what peices should be replaced for this (Bushings, etc) Thanks for any help on this.Tom

 

There really isnt a set method to do when swappin rears.....just unbolt stuff as you go...but heres a quick run down of the install courtesy of Zepher. its refering to a 4th gen rear but goes for any thirdgen rear swap

Jack up the rear of the car and support the body with 2 jackstands.
Place 2 jackstands under each of the axle tubes.
Remove the wheels
Remove the 2 long bolts the hold the torque arm to the pumpkin on the rear end
Move torque arm to the side or pull it off
Unbolt the driveshaft from the rear end, leave it in the tranny and lay the end on the ground being careful not to damage it or knock the end caps off
unbolt the sway bar from the rear
you can leave the sway bar attached to the endlinks but it will make it harder to move the rear end out from under the car
remove the brake lines from the drums
unbolt the lower control arms from the rear end
unbolt the brake line "T" from the rear end, if you are changing the brake lines, remove the lines from the "T" before unbolting it
unbolt the shocks from the rear
using the jack under the rear end, carefully balance it and jack it up a bit and pull the shocks out of the rear end, shocks will just hang there.
move the 2 jackstands that were under the rear end.
As you carefully lower the rear end, grab the coil springs as they will start to fall out.
roll the jack with the rear end out from under the car and place it somewhere.
Put the 4th gen rear on the jack and roll it under the car.
jack it up about level with the shocks and place the jackstands under the rear.
Position the springs back on the perches and carefully jack the rear up
Bolt up the shocks
Bolt up the Lower control arms.
And just start bolting everything else back up.





What i did was just abit different. i started off with removing the brake line from the rear. unscrew the connector and pull apart.

then i removed the torque arm from the rear housing. then the driveshaft. then sway bar endlinks..
then i removed the springs by lowering the rear down abit.

then removed the LCA's and panhard bar

then removed the shocks.


it was realllly easy to do

 

Orr89, you are a life saver...Thanks alot for the info.........I guess, I should replace all the bushings, and rubber parts, u joints, and tranny mount....Anything else im not thinking of...Man, I can't wait 373 gears and a posi, headers, and 3 inch exhaust all at the same time...Oughtta be a different car....Oh yes disc brake in the rear too........Hope the little 305 can handle that much gear...

 

that will be a totally different car what gear are you changing from?

 

273 open rear...I wish this was going to be a 342, but this is what the guy has......Hope it aint too much gear for the little 305...Oh well the 350 will be there soon anyway...Thanks, Tom

 

wait, you're swapping TO a 2.73 open rear?

 

ya im swapping from a 273open drum 10 bolt to a 345 posi 9bolt w/ disc i would have rather had the 370 or 373 and you would rather have the 342 kinda funny i couldnt find a 373

TexasLT1- he said he is swapping from a 273 open to a 373

 

you're right. I missed a few key words there

 

no problem. its a great idea to change out bushings while u have a chance. also if your planning on running a more powerful motor in the future...look into changin the fuel pump to a new higher flowing unit. while the rear is out, thats the perfect time to do it. Something i should have done but i got lazy and wanted the car fixed quick so i could go racing again! lol

 

373 gear won't bother the 305 at all, in fact it was the ratio my car had in it from the factory. 84 L69 with T5.