442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi
442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen
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 $$$ selling it to G-body enthusiasts and save for something else.
If I remember correctly, the truck and 2nd gen units were designed for leaf spring setups. This one was not....it was designed for a 4 link setup that I can't imagine is much different than factory 3rd gen stuff...but...I don't really know.
I can post pictures tonight if that would help.
Thanks!
I just bought an '85 442 to replace my wrecked Cutlass and managed to snag an extra 80's 442 axle (a 8.5" 10-bolt with factory 4 link setup) for only $200 extra (the guy has a collection of 442s and parts). These usually go for about 4 to 5 times that much.
It's already 3.73s with a cone-clutch posi unit. My question is this:
I've searched and read a lot about putting 8.5s from trucks and 2nd gens into a 3rd gen, but has anyone tried/does anyone know about putting a 8.5 from a 442/GN/Regal T-type into 3rd gen. I will certainly get back into a 3rd gen at some point and I'm wondering if I should hold onto this or try to turn a few $$$ 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!
#2
On Probation
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
17 Posts
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen
If you try to put this 442 axle in a third gen, you're still facing a lot of custom fabrication work.
#3
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen
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.
#4
On Probation
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 6,319
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes
on
17 Posts
Car: seeking '90.5-'92 'bird hardtop
Engine: several
Transmission: none
Axle/Gears: none
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen
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.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1989 IROC
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen
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?
#6
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen
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.
Last edited by big gear head; 10-19-2009 at 07:07 PM.
#7
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen
I just got a 10 bolt out of a truck for free. I want to build a rearend how I want it while mine is still in the car so it's still driveable. Then just swap them out and be done. The one I just squires is out of an 85 four wheel drive but I was told that it has six lug axles. I'm putting it in an 89 rs camaro. Is this an easy swap or not with it.
Trending Topics
#8
Banned
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Posts: 12,212
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
10 Posts
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen
I just got a 10 bolt out of a truck for free. I want to build a rearend how I want it while mine is still in the car so it's still drivable. Then just swap them out and be done. The one I just squires is out of an 85 four wheel drive but I was told that it has six lug axles. I'm putting it in an 89 rs camaro. Is this an easy swap or not with it.
You'll be switching from a leaf spring suspension to a torque arm suspension.
It'll take a lot of custom fabrication to get it anywhere near usable. And if your welds aren't good or you get the pinion angle wrong? Bye bye bearings....
#9
Moderator
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,110
Likes: 0
Received 120 Likes
on
101 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen
It doesn't matter what diff it's from. If it's not from a third or fourth gen, it's not going to be a simple swap. The most difficult part of any foreign diff swap into a third gen is how to mount the torque arm. The G-body triangulated 4-link would be much harder to design and fabricate into a third gen. There just isn't a good enough framework or room under the car to do it properly.
Sell the diff to someone with a G-body and use the money to buy a nice aftermarket direct bolt in diff if you need something stronger than the factory diff. It will be a lot easier and cheaper in the long run.
Sell the diff to someone with a G-body and use the money to buy a nice aftermarket direct bolt in diff if you need something stronger than the factory diff. It will be a lot easier and cheaper in the long run.
#10
Re: 442 8.5 inch 10 bolt axle into 3rd gen
Just curious will any of the internals work?? I have like 2.79 or 2.89 gears and it really isn't working for me,and my wallet is getting a little light. After the engine mods.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1992rs/ss
NW Indiana and South Chicago Suburb
12
05-19-2020 07:02 PM
1992rs/ss
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
16
01-28-2016 09:58 PM
red90IROCls1
Transmissions and Drivetrain
10
08-25-2015 06:56 AM