[Tim57]

Some questions for anyone interested in assisting, I have a 57 Bel Air custom using a 383 stroker motor with T400 I am now looking to set up a rear end and what i'm looking for is a reasonable cost with strength and I found many people seem to be using (I know) the Ford 8.8 ford out of a 95 up Explorer they are abundant strong and relatively cheep to utilize has anyone accomplished this conversion in a 57 that could give some detail and how they found the results to be ?

TC

 

[jts57ht4spd]

i found that it was 2 inches to wide

 

[Tim57]

I hear you have to cut one side tube and that centers the yoke as well from the off-set

 

[Jim Cimarolli]

Try an 8.5 GM 10 bolt out of a 2nd generation Camaro, easy to find, cheap to buy, and the width is close to the same as the old 5-7 rear. Just have to change the spring perches.

 

[Tim57]

right now I have a 60's GTO rear end its long and tire size is limited and geared to high for any street use I need like 3.73 or 3.55

 

[H35]

What about an 8.8 rear end from an 86' to 93' Mustang? They are 1" narrower on each side than the 94' and up Mustang, Lincoln, Explorer etc

 

[USA1]

Try an 8.5 GM 10 bolt out of a 2nd generation Camaro, easy to find, cheap to buy, and the width is close to the same as the old 5-7 rear. Just have to change the spring perches.

Those are wider than 55-57 use a 71-74 Nova they are 8.5 and correct width.

 

[Farm Boy]

An 8.5 inch ten bolt from a 1972 – 1979 GM X-body car (Chevy Nova, Pontiac Ventura, Buick Apollo, Olds Omega) is a great rear end for a Tri-five Chevy. The width is 60 inches which is the same as a stock rear end. You will have to weld on new spring perches. You can upgrade the 8.5 with parts from the wrecking yard. Parts are plentiful and cheap. 11 inch backing plates and drums from a full sized car will bolt on an X-body 8.5 with no modifications. If you want lower gears pull a ring and pinion from a 1977-1987 two or four wheel drive Chevy or GMC ½ ton pickup. These pickups also use the 8.5 and the ring and pinion will bolt into your Nova housing.

http://www.novaresource.org/axle.htm

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/48518_posi_10_bolt_upgrade_install/index.html

 

[drpepper]

i've done 2 of the 8.8 diffs (from an exploder) but in a 37 chevy and 40 ford. both with leafs so it's the same procedure as a tri 5. you need to center the yoke and narrow the housing. easy to do. just take about 2 and 7/8 out of the left axle tube and install a right side axle in the place of the longer left axle. you'll have to move the spring pads also.they come with disc brakes and if you find one in a 4 x 4 they more than likely are posi. several have 3:70 or 4:11 gears. i believe all rangers had the 3:73 or 4:11. not completely sure about the rangers though. it's been several years since i did them. 1997 i believe. i can't remember well past yesterday!

 

[Tim57]

Thanks everyone this is all great info and gives me several options - drpepper thanks for the detail its enough memory for me to understand what I need to do , the rest is up to me if I stick with the F8.8 idea or move to the early Nova option as Steve suggested.

 

[r66ss]

tim

:anim_25: and keep us posted on what rear end u end up with :wavey:

 

[56owner]

advantage

Thanks everyone this is all great info and gives me several options - drpepper thanks for the detail its enough memory for me to understand what I need to do , the rest is up to me if I stick with the F8.8 idea or move to the early Nova option as Steve suggested.

BUT NIETHER OF THESE HAVE A DROP OUT CENTER SECTION.

 

[Tim57]

well more research how about a later model Z28 rear end 87' to be more specific has anyone you know attempted installing one of those rear ends in a 55, 56, 57 ? The one I can get my hands on is like new rear disc and 3.23 gears .... I'm not sure of the overall length though. :confused0006:

 

[hotrodg726]

my suggeation is to find something from a gm . anything else is just plain wrong:bowtier::bowtieb::bowtielb::blowtiedb:

 

[Tim57]

I hear ya right now I have a late 60's GTO rear end its to long 61" and 4.33 gears to much gear (great rear end though) for the right car.

I guess $ is driving me to these alternative solutions doesn't that just dictate everything :frown: