Hello Guy's, I am looking to beef up my rear end from the stock factory 10 bolt with 3,42-1 to a full four bar set up and 4,56-1 and a 12 bolt or better ? What is out there or has anyone got anything up for sale ? Thanks Paul

 

If you are going with a 4 link then you can use just about anything. You can use a 12 bolt from a Chevelle or you could narrow an Impala housing. You could also use a Dana 60 from a truck and narrow it with Ford housing ends and 35 spline axles. The 9.5 GM 14 bolt truck rear end could also be used. This is a strong rear end with quite a few after market parts available and it has 33 spline axles. It's not as huge and heavy as the 10.5 14 bolt rear end.

 

If you need more than an 8.8" Ford, then an F150 9.75" axle is worth a look. It's readily available, lighter but stronger than a GM 9.5, readily available cheaply, gearing from 3.08 into the 5s, 5-lug shafts exist, and are more common than the rare 454SS shafts, more different traction differentials, 34-spline,

 

Thank you both I am on the hunt as we speak, But being in Wales UK the parts are not at all common in junk yards. I have thought about the Jeep style rear end, as they are about for parts.

 

If you find a Jeep with the Dana 44 rear end then that would be all right. Don't bother with the Dana 35. It's no better than the original GM 7.5. Do you have Ford or GM trucks there? They would be a good source for a strong rear end. The Ford 8.8 or GM 8.5 would be much better than the GM 7.5.

 

Thank you for the information and yes we do have trucks here, in fact I found a Chevy dually last night in a yard and it has a 14 bolt fitted that is ready to go and 63" flange to flange. I am looking in to what I will need to swap out and where I can get the parts to sort it and what price too. I think looking at the 14 bolt that it should be bomb proof If you have any info that can help please let me know. Paul

 

The 10.5 14 bolt is way to heavy for a performance car. You would never break it, but it would slow you down. The 3/4 ton 9.5 14 bolt would be better, but if you are not making a huge amount of power then the 1/2 ton GM 8.5 or the Ford 8.8 would be better. They are still very strong and wouldn't slow you down. There are huge amounts of after market parts for them.

 

The Jeep D44 has the aluminum center housing, which is good for handling, and might simplify welding on a torque arm bracket, and it uses the same gears and diffs as an '85-'96 'vette or an early Viper, but is suspect for more than 500 HP. Forget trying to make it hold 1000, it'll never happen.
The 14-bolt 10.5" could hold anything you could throw at it, but unless you're over 1500 HP, forget it.

 

Some of the Jeep 44s may be aluminum, but not all. Here is a super 44 from a Jeep that is cast iron. http://bgky.craigslist.org/pts/5516638410.html

 

Thanks again Guys. I have a Built stroker 383 motor with a lot of rpm, hp and good torque, running 250 gas as well. Six speed T56, 4,56-1 gears and 275/60/17" tyres. the car has a 10 point cage and four bar set up on the rear, so not a shopping car lol. If I have to build a new rear end I would only want to do it the once as we just can't get the parts over here. something that cost you guys $150.00 will cost us £750.00. there are NO 9" ford or GM 12 bolts over here for sale other than something that would need a total rebuild and shortening . Then you have the issue of getting new shafts made and centre sections that cost the earth here too. Thanks guy's you are always a big help and give me a pile to think over.

 

If you're wanting cheap, strong, and available, you might consider a Mitsubishi Montero SR 9.75" axle, it offers lockers and gearing in the mid-4s. Isuzu Rodeos had a version of the D44, and their own 12-bolt is supposedly strong. The Montero or the Rodeo, or both, might have been sold under other names in other parts of the world, so you'll have to research.