Caprice 12 bolt? [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: Caprice 12 bolt?


feedmelies
Jan 4th, 06, 2:52 PM
I was looking to replace my 10 bolt peg leg with a 12 bolt. I have been experiencing a little trouble finding something out of a Chevelle or El Camino, so I was wondering what other 12 bolts will work with my '67. I have found some Caprice parts and they seem like they should work, but I'm not sure. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Derek69SS
Jan 4th, 06, 3:00 PM
They're different. You're stuck with looking for 65-72 Chevelle, El Camino, and Monte Carlo.

65-66 had flat spring perches that need a retainer to hold the spring on. It will fit just fine, but not "correct" for a '67.
'67 is a one-year only rear axle with the later style spring pads.
'68-72 are the same as '67 but 1" wider.

Late-60s impalas were a 3-link with panhard bar (Caprices & all BB cars got 4-links with panhard bar.) Chevelles had a converging 4-link with angled upper arms.

BlueSS454
Jan 5th, 06, 12:05 AM
You could do what I did and cut the axle brackets off a junk 10 bolt and weld them to a 12 bolt :D. Just remember, measure twice, weld once!!

Derek69SS
Jan 5th, 06, 4:32 PM
You could do what I did and cut the axle brackets off a junk 10 bolt and weld them to a 12 boltWhat did you do about the upper ears that are cast to the pumpkin on a Chevelle rear?

smittyocat
Jan 5th, 06, 7:42 PM
why not remove the axle tubes from the 10 bolt and install them in the 12 bolt center section, might work

gary salsman
Jan 5th, 06, 11:07 PM
All GM A-body rear ends should be interchangable. The GTO's also used a 12 bolt in the later years. All original 12 bolt axles are getting harder to find, and thus more expensive. There are also a few aftermaket 12 bolts available.

BlueSS454
Jan 6th, 06, 12:23 AM
What did you do about the upper ears that are cast to the pumpkin on a Chevelle rear?
It was an earlier Chevelle 12 bolt that someone had done alot of backyard engineering on to make it work in a 67 Impala. I cut off all those brackets and welded on the 68-72 Chevelle brackets. I'd actually like to get rid of it and put a correct 70 rear in mine, but I don't have one right now.
You can cut the ears off a rear and weld them on, just make sure you have a welder that can perform such a task, I've seen it done before.