Rear-End Question

[yellowGT]

I am converting the front end with 84 chevy c10 crossmember and the whole nine yards. I hope the go ahead and do the rear end to disc brakes as well since i have been presented with a chance to either get a posi rear end from a 89 camaro or another from a 96 camaro. Now, my question is does anyone know the width of either one of those rear ends? I know it would slap right in since i have a coil truck but not sure if its too narrow or too wide for my 69 swb. Another question would be the lug pattern. The seller told me it was 5x5 but I didnt get the chance to measure to make sure. I was under the impression that camaros come 5x4.5 or 5x4.75 is this right?

[LONGHAIR]

It's 5 x 4.75.......but I am curious as to why you think it would "slap right in because it's a coil truck"?

[yellowGT]

Because it has the cup where the rear end sits and held with u-bolts. The shocks are attached to the trailing arms and not the rear end so therefore the rear end just sits on the trailing arms tighten with u-bolts.... im i right? The camaro rear end has the two shocks in the front on the rear end and not staggered but since the shocks go on the trailing arms that wouldnt be a worry. Let me know if you know or think otherwise. Thanks.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by yellowGT

Because it has the cup where the rear end sits and held with u-bolts. The shocks are attached to the trailing arms and not the rear end so therefore the rear end just sits on the trailing arms tighten with u-bolts.... im i right? The camaro rear end has the two shocks in the front on the rear end and not staggered but since the shocks go on the trailing arms that wouldnt be a worry. Let me know if you know or think otherwise. Thanks.

I don't know the rear-end width for late model f-bodys be you can prob assume it's @ least 2 ~ 3" shorter in width than the truck rear axle.

The GM car bolt pattern is 5x4.75" so unless someone has changed that, it's going to be different than your front hubs. Be warned that most f-body guys replace the 7 5/8" rear-ends because they aren't very strong. They'll work fine for commuting, but if you have a heavy foot they don't live a long life w/upgraded power.

You'll still need the 'saddles' that the rear housing sits on for the trucks. They are what locate the rear housing in its position (pinion angle as well as relative to the C/L of the truck).

[yellowGT]

Well, the guy selling the rear ends has the 89 model in his 92 camaro and the tires are sticking out about 2 inches from the quarter panels so I was thinking that would make it just about right for the truck. The 96 rear end he said is the same width as the 89 model so I dont know at this point. He did assure me it was a 5x5 setup though.

Scoti, what rear end do you recommend besides Impala that would be just right for what Im doing?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by yellowGT

Well, the guy selling the rear ends has the 89 model in his 92 camaro and the tires are sticking out about 2 inches from the quarter panels so I was thinking that would make it just about right for the truck.

Is the rear end sticking out 2" from the qtrs @ the hub or the wheel?

....He did assure me it was a 5x5 setup though.

The only GM cars that came w/5x5 bolt pattern are HD applications: Caprice/Impala, big Caddys, Delta 88's, etc. Of these, the late model Impala SS's (94 ~ 96) & Caddys were the only one's that came w/discs. All f-bodys (even the earlier 78 ~ 81 T/A's) that came w/factory rear discs are small GM car pattern or 5x4.75". Did he have the axles re-drilled for the larger pattern?

....what rear end do you recommend besides Impala that would be just right for what Im doing?

I can't really suggest anything specific on the rear end swaps. I know Lincoln rear ends are about right (about 2" shorter) & early f-body (71~81) 10-bolts are popular swaps. My sincerest suggestion is to not believe anything w/o actually verifying first. Take a tape measure & measure mounting flange to mounting flange on your truck housing & compare it to the car housing before letting go of your $$ (even if it is cheap).

[yellowGT]

Thanks Scoti. I have an impala with the 5x5 disc rear end but you know how hard it is to get a hold of parts for those cars. I would like to see the same setup on my truck.

His camaro is sticking out 2 inches at the hub cause he has stock camaro wheels on it and they should fit perfect under the quarter panel perfect but they dont. I will ask to see if he re-drilled to 5x5 or what but if he is using stock wheels it wouldnt be redrilled. I dont know if he knew what he was talking about or even myself. I will keep looking I guess. How much would that kit cost for 81-87 cause that the rear end on my 69?

Also, what other day did you say they meet up in Rowlett? I go pretty often to Kellers but you had mentioned another place during the week... let me know. thanks.

[LONGHAIR]

The shocks are attached to the trailing arms and not the rear end so therefore the rear end just sits on the trailing arms tighten with u-bolts.... im i right?

There is still a saddle that needs to be welded to the housing. The saddles locate the trailing arms and determine the pinion angle. They keep the housing from rotating with-in the U-bolts. Engine torque would make the pinion rise as it slipped and brake drag would do the opposite. The saddles make for 2 flat surfaces, locking the housing to the arms.

As far as the bolt circle....measure it yourself. Here is a diagram of how it is done. I made this the last time someone asked how to do this.

[yellowGT]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

There is still a saddle that needs to be welded to the housing. The saddles locate the trailing arms and determine the pinion angle. They keep the housing from rotating with-in the U-bolts. Engine torque would make the pinion rise as it slipped and brake drag would do the opposite. The saddles make for 2 flat surfaces, locking the housing to the arms.

As far as the bolt circle....measure it yourself. Here is a diagram of how it is done. I made this the last time someone asked how to do this.

Yeah, I stopped next to a 80something camaro while at work and measured the studs and I got 4.75 Then again that was a stock one. The rear end on this guys camaro is wider and not the original one so dont know if its the same lug pattern. I just might call him tomorrow and ask him to measure center to hub and also measure the lug spacing. Thanks guys.

[camaro__thunder]

the 93-02 rearends are 2" wider than the 82-92's
and all Camaro's come 5x4.75 stock.

[yellowGT]

Originally Posted by camaro__thunder

the 93-02 rearends are 2" wider than the 82-92's
and all Camaro's come 5x4.75 stock.

That would make since because he told me his car was an 92 but the rear end came from a 96 and it was pushing the wheels out of the quarter panels. He does have another that is a 89 model but regardless of which one I get i cant use either one because of the bolt pattern. Starting to look for impala rear ends.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by yellowGT

That would make since because he told me his car was an 92 but the rear end came from a 96 and it was pushing the wheels out of the quarter panels. He does have another that is a 89 model but regardless of which one I get i cant use either one because of the bolt pattern. Starting to look for impala rear ends.

Wouldn't it be easier to get one of the aftermarket rear-disc bracket kits & use the rear-end that you have?

[yellowGT]

Not if its not posi-unit and its a $200-$400 difference.