Okay, so I am looking at getting a 4th gen disk rear to replace my 88 9 bolt.

Which ones should I try and get? Is there a difference between years? 1993-1997 Compared to 1998-2002?

Does TC And Anti-lock brakes make a difference?

I am only looking at rears from V8 4th gens. What gears came with the Auto cars and what came with the stick shift cars? I want at least 3.23, did any come with bad gears?

Must be rebuildable too, are there any that aren't rebuildable?

Do I have to change any brake lines or anything? Also, Did any of the years get bigger brakes or anything?

Thanks!

 

Anyone? Any questions answered help alot. I plan on getting a rear in a few weeks here.

 

They are just 10 bolts...

Disk conversion is not all that difficult

 

I mainly need info on what gears came with automatics and manuals, also TC and Anti-lock breaks.

I know they bolt in and everything... It isn't really a disk conversion either as I already had disk-brakes.

 

Need info asap. The rear is going to be purchased pretty soon here.

 

Yeah I just swapped your same rear into my car

Well, after searching for 'ya, you are going to have to see at the junk yard what you got. 3.8 equipped cars had anywhere from 3.23 open to 3.42 posi in auto and manuals. The best way to tell is rotate one of the hubs (or wheels if attached) and count the turns of the wheel vs the yoke - if it's posi then both tires/hubs will turn the same direction, open they will turn opposite directions.

Also found out So unless you have RPO numbers, you will be shooting in the dark. Not to mention if the rear will even be the one that cam in the car, there are a lot of v6 owners modifying their car...

 

i just bought one from a 97 with disk brakes with 3.47 gears it works great but the 9 bolt that you have in your car now is already a great rear end i wouldent swap it for a 10 bolt if you already have disk brakes there is no advatage for the swap. the 9 bolt is stronger than the traditional 10 bolt that you wana get

 

I am fully aware of that... I have rebuild my 9 bolt already, and it is too worn to rebuild again. The carrier is toast. It is cheaper in the long run to just get a 4th gen rear.

Besides, I will be getting bigger brakes with the 4th gen rear.

 

Two types of posi carriers are found in 4th gen axles,
auburn cone type '93-97,torsen(AKA zexel) in '98-02
(some sources say '99 first year for torsen) Some
people really like the torsen,some replace them with
other types,saying the posi action is not as positive
as clutch type posi,others say the torsen is the best
for drifting and road courses.Also the torsen seems
that it can be damaged by high horsepower,high rpm
clutch drops-helical axle gears force outward under
such abuse and cause the carrier to "balloon",damaging
bearings,loosening or breaking bolts etc.
I'd say not a problem with automatic trans and
engines under about 350 hp. though.
I got a torsen carrier from a '99 z that i will try in
my axle later this year

 

I thought they had 3.42?

 

6 speed cars had the 3.42's. Automatics with the V8 had 2.73 stock and 3.23 as the optional ratio. The shifter on the console will have a detent for 1st gear if it came with the performance (3.23) ratio. If the shifter only has 2nd and up it is a 2.73. 6 cylinder cars that had a 5 speed and rear disc brakes usually had a 3.42's

 

Which unit will give me the best posi? I like it to grab almost instantly and hold.

91 1LE, that helped alot. Will make it easier to search for at the JYs... Thanks!

 

The Torsen posi doesn't have clutches in it so it doesn't wear out. When buying a used rear end this is a concern as the Auburn units in the 93-97 cars are not rebuildable and are most likely worn out if the car was driven hard. You can use the 98 and later rear and just not connect the TC or ABS. You might have to change you e-brake cables to work with the new design (internal drum).

 

Why aren't the auburns rebuildable? So I am stuck with 98 and up rears?

 

I think i've heard the reason the auburn is not
rebuildable is because the clutch cones and the axle
gears are made as one piece and therefore cannot be
machined to "clean up"the clutch surface without
getting the axle gear/spider mesh too slack. Probably
still some good auburns left-check the oil or magnet
for lots of fine iron powder in the oil (a small amount
is normal)
Big advantage with a 10 bolt is if the posi is bad or
goes bad,several different OEM and aftermarket
carriers are avalible to easily replace the bad one.

 

Also, my 9 bolt E-brake cable hasn't been hooked up in years. Do I have to use the E-Brake cable on the 1998-2002 rears? I heard something about the E-brake adjusting the breaks or something... Not sure if it was those years though.