chas0218

I was just curious to what everyone has done to beef up their 10 bolts or how they went about replacing them.

I know there has to be some low budget rear builds. I know myself and a lot of other members could benefit from this.

So start listing!!

Thanks,
Chas

AlkyIROC

Budget? Not really a good solution. There's a lot you can do to beef up the tiny 7.5" 10 bolt but after investing all the money, you'll still have a 7.5" ring and pinion and the teeth will fail before anything else does. All the upgrades are just a bandaid solution and don't fix the fact that the teeth will still fail.

A complete aftermarket diff is the most popular solution however going to a complete direct bolt in 9", 12 bolt or Dana 60, you can expect to spend at least $2000.

The cheapest way to install something better is to buy a 9" housing package for around $1000. It includes a direct bolt in housing with axles. It's designed to use your GM brakes so all you need to do is take them off your 10 bolt and bolt them onto the 9" housing. The only other thing you need to do is find a center section. This can be pulled from many Ford vehicles in the junkyard. You may not get the gear choice you want and you may not get a posi but it will get you on the road for an inexpensive price. When buying the housing package, get it with 31 spline axles then go looking for a center section that uses 31 spline axles. I managed to find a center section with 4.10 gears, posi and for 31 spline axles out of an old Bronco. Only cost me $100.

Trying to use some other junkyard diff then converting it to use the third gens torque arm suspension or changing the suspension to something else to use a junkyard diff can cost a lot more than just buying a proper bolt in diff.

Ron U.S.M.C.

Here's a thread that might interest you. =
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...-upgraded.html

Ron U.S.M.C.

Here's one more =
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...-10-bolts.html

big gear head

One of the best upgrades to the 7.5 is the Eaton Posi and a set of 28 spline axles (for the '89 and older cars with 26 spline axles). There isn't much that can be done to make the 7.5 stronger. Some people have put quite a bit of power into the 7.5 and didn't break it, but others have broke them on the street with a 305, so you just don't know if it will hold up or not.

Ron U.S.M.C.

At the very least I would run one of these. =
301-7.5GK - LPW Ultimate Rear End Support Covers






L.P.W. #619-301-7.5GK

LPW Embossed Rear End Support Cover Kit GM 10-Bolt; Fits 7.5'' Ring Gear Case
Includes 2-Quarts 75W-90 Gear Lube, Differential Cover Gasket, RTV Silicone Gasket Maker

$201.99 Ships Monday



Bolt on six-tons of support strength! Strengthen your vehicle's rear end with the strongest rated support covers you can buy! These lightweight aluminum covers strengthen the rear housing from case distortion under load, preventing increased side bearing clearance and ring gear deflection. Two adjustable grade-8 bolts support and prevent both bearing main caps from movement and possible breakage. Offers increased fluid capacity, built-in fill and drain plugs, and hardware.

84 z28

Save your money and buy a 12 bolt or a 9" if you plan on making any serious power.

AlkyIROC

$2000 is considered a budget differential

chas0218

I wasn't necessarily saying budget 10 bolt i was talking about the stuff people did to cut corners and it worked out for the better or found other ways to do a rear end swaps without buying a brand new rear from a website.

I was thinking of things like larger OD axels and carriers in 10bolt case, or junkyard builds that are strong, ect...

Here are an article on beefing one up:
http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486663

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (14)

not going to work, you are stuck with the 7.5" carriers and gears, 28 spline axles. Then trying to midify a axle not made for a 3rd gen can be quite daunting and expensive is you lack the fab and welding skills required to attach the brackets and torque arm, not to mention possible narrowing the housing, custom axles, blah blah blah

if you need a strong axle, save you pennies and pickup a moser9 axle and housing package and grab a junkyard center for cheap, or even from ebay. Its the cheapest option. There is little point to investing money into a 10bolt, sooner or later its still going to break.

AlkyIROC

Factory 9" diffs are not indestructible. The 28 spline axles are weak so it's better to go right to 31 spline. The pinion pilot bearing support starts to fail once you get into the 9 second range however I have seen them fail in slower but heavier vehicles. Of course, the center section can always be upgraded at a later date to something better. I use a Moser aluminum bolt through case. Cost was around $450 and I doubt I'll ever hurt it at my power level. There's also a huge weight saving. I also use an aluminum spool and aluminum bearing retainer. I can lift the center section in with one hand.

bigfish1047

Hopefully I will get my budget rear back in during the next few weeks. I already test drove it in car then removed it to have it narrowed so I could choose any wheels I wanted.
If a person got the correct junk yard rear, you only would need to weld spring perches and attach a torque arm mount(mines not welded). That's probably less than $300. plus better gears and hopefully you got a posi to start with.