Jason, Search the archives for Jim Forbes past posts titled Rearend primer, and
Rearend primer II. This will answer your questions. Jim is our resident TF
rearend Guru. He's helped me out alot! Warning: some late model Camaros and
T/A's came with a 9 bolt (yes 9 bolt) rearend with disk brakes. They are made
in Australia by I believe Borg-Warner. Avoid these! They break, parts are hard
to find, and not many choices for gear sets. In my opinion, the best rearend to
use is the one you already have! 70's 12-bolts are the way to go. Take the
money you were going to spend on a new one and buy a Classic performance
Products rear disk brake kit and a ring and pinion if you want different gears.
That's what I did. Most folks seem to think rear disks are not necessary but I
like them. Don't forget to use a proper master cylinder and residual valves!
When changing brake systems do your homework! - Jeff
Jeff Street
Seattle, WA
'55-2 Short/Step "Street's rod-project"
"Jason E. Markel" wrote:
> I'm looking to do a rear end swap on my '59. Ideally, I want to get a 5
> bolt pattern (preferably GM), between 3.07 and 3.27, posi, and discs. I
> found one from an 86 Trans Am that meets these criteria, but don't know
> whether it meets the width requirements. Has anyone used a post-82 axle
> from a Camaro or Firebird in a TF truck? If width is correct, is there
> anything I should know about this axle that would make it undesirable. I
> know I'll have to add spring perches and cut off all the other mounts, but
> will this axle handle truck duties (I do actually use this truck to haul
> rock, topsoil, whatever --- not a garage queen). Are there other potential
> late-model swaps I should consider that would meet the above criteria?
>
> Somewhere a while back I saw postings on Lincoln Versailles rear end swaps
> as a direct fit by switching around the springs or something. Was this
> swap for AD trucks or TF's? Does it bolt in to the drive-line.
>
> I guess I should ask one other question. What is the correct width rear
> end for this truck and how do you measure it? The truck currently has a
> '71 12 bolt in it from the prior owner. Looks OK in there, but I don't
> know if it has the exact width of the original or not.
>
> Thanks.
> Jason
>
> '59 Short Fleet
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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