Has anybody tried to use a 2nd gen 8.5 in a 3rd gen? I just measured them, there's only 1/4 in differance in the width on the one I have. I think they could be used if a ladder bar were to be used also.

 

If you're going to go through the trouble of using ladder bars why not just find a nice 9" instead. There are lots of them out there that are narrow enough to use.

There's no way you can use the third gen's torque arm on any other factory diff other than from another third or fourth gen.

 

Because I already have three 8.5 2nd gen rears. I won't put no ford rear in any of my gm cars. I also have a 9 bolt but I want to go with some 4.56 gears. I think I can build the whole rear for what a lower set of gears will cost for the 9 bolt. I wasn't planning on using the torque arm, that's why I'm considering using ladder bars. I'm planning on going from the rear end all the way to the trans. cross member. I'd be the same thing as having to torque arms.

 

Look at the pics on my web pages. You need to modify the floor to install ladder bars. If you went all the way up to the tranny crossmember (They don't make ladder bars that long), the front mount would be inside the car under the front seats.