i posted a thread a while ago asking about putting a 4th gen rear end into my 3rd gen and those who replied said they were totally different and couldnt be swapped. now i'm reading threads and people talking about putting them in there 3rd gens. i'll be the first to admit i'm no gear head but whats the truth.

 

The control arms and shocks bolt right in.

Other details:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...-gen-rear.html

 

ok so they can bolt up with out cutting and welding etc. thank you

 

Baloney.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...-10-bolts.html

JamesC

 

baloney that they said that to me or I'm lying that i was told that?

 

Baloney to those that told you the swapped couldn't be effected.

JamesC

 

Whoever told you that, couldn't have been from here on TGO. That, and sorry to say this, but they are idiots. It has only been done thousands of times with very little changes or modification needed.

 

thanks jamesc, its always nice being called a liar. anyway i asked back in 2007 if i could put a 2nd gen rear in my firebird and was told that the only rear that would boult in with out modifications was the 3rd gen. "sofakindom" told me that and that the 93 to 02 rears were close but would still need some work. anyway like i said i'm not gear head and now i know they will (thank you for link jamesc even though you called me a liar) so i will pursue that rout.

 

Hey, 89,

I don't think you're reading me right. I edited post #6 to more clearly state my opinion. Forgive the miscommunication.

JamesC

 

no biggy jamesc i took it lightly and responded lightly. i love everyone on this site it has been such a major help for someone like me who is not a gear head but still has a passion for playing with cars. this is my 7th 3rd gen and as i get older(mid 30's) my love for these cars is still just as strong now as it was when i got my first one. thanks again for that link i plan on looking for a posi rear to swap out now take care.

brian

 

I've read that the 4th gen rear end is wider so is it a good idea to use wheels with less backset than 3rd gen wheels?

 

You can use stock 4th gen or Vette wheels & it'll line up good. Or use stock 16" 3rd gen rear wheels, or aftermarket wheels that have the same backspacing/offset as stock 16" 3rd gen rear wheels.

Here is a 3rd gen (the blue RS) with a 4th gen rear axle & stock 3rd gen 16" rear wheels.

 

nice, i like the way it looks

 

you can use the stock 15" rims too i just put a 02 rear on my 84 and the 12" brakes do clear the 15's, barely but they do, the only thing that didn't work was the parking break cables everything else fits perfect

 

The LS1 cables are available from Ed Miller.

JamesC

 

mine came with the ls1 cables and the sleeve is too long so the cable doesn't reach the adjuster if you use the stock mounting points (on a 3rd gen with drum brakes), either you make a custom bracket or get factory cables for a 3rd gen with disk brakes, you might still have to modify them a little to fit but it's not a hard task

 

Perhaps I should have said LS1 "custom" cables:

http://www.flynbye.com/catalog/i153.html

JamesC

 

I've heard of people putting in 3rd gen rear ends in 4th gens? Are they stronger than 4th gen?

 

Ouch, a little overpriced I think, you can get the 3rd gen to fit with minor grinding for less than $30 bucks

 

No stronger than thirdgen axles with 28 splines.

JamesC