Getting ready to use some shadetree technology. If I weld the cones in the 9bolt in my 87 IROC to make it a locker, will I have a hard time getting the axles and the shims, spider gears etc. back in the two halves of the differential? I am planning on using the axle's to keep everything lined up, but I don't know what problems I might have putting everything together. If anybody has done this befor and knows what I should be prepared for let me know. Got to get it ready for the dragstrip.

 

If you will not be using this on the street then it might work. If you plan on driving it on the street then it might be dangerous.

It will be weaker when you do it like this. There are spools available for the 9 bolt, which would work a lot better. If the cones are worn then they are going to sit farther into the holes, which increases the backlash of the pinion gears, which will make them break easier. If you don't get them lined up exactly right then you will not be able to get the axles back in at all because the gears will not line up.

Just get a spool from 9bolt.com

 

Sounds like this 9bolt is almost more trouble than it is worth. Can you put a third generation 10bolt gm rearend in without any modifications? I know I would most likely loose the rear disc brakes but other than that, will everything else bolt up the same way? I can get 10bolts easy and all kinds of parts for them here in the U.S.

 

A 10bolt from a 3rd gen is a direct bolt in. You can keep the disc brakes if you find some backing plates. I think I read on here (a few years ago) that you could use 9bolt backing plates on the 10bolt. IIRC, it wasn't a direct bolt on though. I used to have the GM part #'s for the 10bolt plates, can't find them now.

Or you could swap in a 4th gen rear end. It bolts up, and ones with disc's/posi are easy to find. You may need a conversion u-joint though. And your wheels will be tucked just under the lip of the fender (assuming stock wheels).

 

I found a gm 10bolt 7.5 out of a 1987 Trans Am. I got a couple questions about it. This rear end came stock with 3:42 gears, would this be a series 3 or series 2 carrier. How is the best way to tell. I'm going to change the gears so I need to know. Also it has 26 spline axles, The guy I got it from said I could use 28 spline axles if I used a 28 spline mini spool in it. Would I have to change the carrier housing also. How about the wheel bearings, I would think they would be a different size. I would like to use moser 28 spline axles, a mini spool and 4:10 gears. Has anybody done this upgrade.

 

ever upgrade a 10bolt with moser axles?