Hey now that I got my chevelle's engine running better and looking better I now want to turn my attention to the rear diff. I am trying to decide wether to keep my 12 bolt and narrow it some (because I have a 68 rear diff)or go 9". I Have some questions Have any of you put ford ends in your 12 bolt and If so you must have to buy some aftermarket axels???? I don't know anybody that has done this so I am hopeing you guys have. I am thinking about narrowing my 12 bolt 2 inch's what problems am I going to run into. Any other suggestions would be great thanks! Well I maybe should have gone to strange or mosier first but you guys always have some good suggestions.

I'd stay with the 12 bolt. Less parasitic drag....just talked about it yesterday or the day before in a post. About the Ford ends, I'd call Moser, Strange, or Currie about it since they do it all the time....ask a professional:yes:. They might also give you a better idea what length to shorten the rear for axles that are already made and more available(near the 2" you are talking about). As far as interference issues....most likely you'll have to tub or minitub the wheelwells, also depending on how big a tire you plan on running, it may run into the frame:confused: since the frame and innermost part of the wheel well are pretty close. Some guys will notch their frame, flip the piece around they cut out and weld it back in.

Post back what one of the companies says for our info., I'm sure Dave would be interested since he's the rear diff. guru here.

I'd also PM Big Gear Head. He'll explain it well.

Basically, You'd cut off the stock end, and reweld the Ford end in the right location, to set the width to a 64-67 rear. You'd then need to order axle's of the right length, with the ford size end to press on the ford bearing/retainer, which then bolts to the ford end, welded to the axle tube.

I have all the neccasary jigs, and welding machine's, so forth to do the job, just need to get on it. I plan to work on it, in the near future.

Keep the 12 bolt! They will take alot of hp propely build.
I just upgraded my rear to ford style ends. You need different axles to accept the ford bearing. I went with 33 splines. My rear is also narroved 1.6"/side had to reverse the shock mountings but as I understand you are only going with 1"/side? if so I think there wil be no problems.

I went with parts from Tom´s differential nice price+quality parts just make sure that the ends you are using are made for a inner axle seal some like Strange and Mark williams just use a sealed bearing with an o-ring Tom´s and Moser are machined for the inner axle seal. Tom´s ends are narrower than Moser thats another reason I went with them. I also got the tubes welded just for peace of mind.

Good luck!

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h211/12bult/IMG_2894.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h211/12bult/IMG_2893.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h211/12bult/IMG_2895.jpg

Marcus

Keep the 12 bolt! They will take alot of hp propely build.
I just upgraded my rear to ford style ends. You need different axles to accept the ford bearing. I went with 33 splines. My rear is also narroved 1.6"/side had to reverse the shock mountings but as I understand you are only going with 1"/side? if so I think there wil be no problems.

I went with parts from Tomīs differential nice price+quality parts just make sure that the ends you are using are made for a inner axle seal some like Strange and Mark williams just use a sealed bearing with an o-ring Tomīs and Moser are machined for the inner axle seal. Tomīs ends are narrower than Moser thats another reason I went with them. I also got the tubes welded just for peace of mind.

Good luck!

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h211/12bult/IMG_2894.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h211/12bult/IMG_2893.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h211/12bult/IMG_2895.jpg

Marcus
Thanks for the pics and info that was a big help! I was wondering about the shock mounts because it looked like it was going to be close.

Well I did it!! I narrowed the 69 12 bolt 2 inch's welded the tubes and installed the ford type axel bearing cups! Thanks for all of your input and also to Marcus far the pic's and info!

Glad I could help!

Did you do the job by yourself? What parts did you end up with?

Best regards!

Marcus

Sounds like you have a strong 12 bolt now:thumbsup:

Glad I could help!

Did you do the job by yourself? What parts did you end up with?

Best regards!

Marcus
I went with Moser stuff but now I see that the Toms ends have the backing plate bolts right in them which I like better than the Moser ends which I have to cut the bolt heads down to fit in ends. I did it with the help of a friend who has a small shop here and has a Mark Williams jig. Did you go 1.6" on each end or was that the total amount that you took off.

Sounds like you have a strong 12 bolt now:thumbsup:
Yeah it should be now!! If I can get some tire under it so I can hook up a little better I can give it a work out. I have to finish painting it and rebuilding the posi then I can start trying some tire sizes and wheel offsets.

I went with Moser stuff but now I see that the Toms ends have the backing plate bolts right in them which I like better than the Moser ends which I have to cut the bolt heads down to fit in ends. I did it with the help of a friend who has a small shop here and has a Mark Williams jig. Did you go 1.6" on each end or was that the total amount that you took off.


Yes I took of about 1.6"/side went with 28.5" long axles. How long axles did you end up with?

I have 8" rims with 3.75" in backspace with 27/10.5-15 et streets thats the biggest I can fit in my wheel wells with decent clearence one finger between tire/lip and tire/frame.

Marcus

The axels are 28 13/16" long and thanks for the info about the tire size. I wil let you know what I get under it.