rear end work

[406sbSonomaGT]

in the future(near and far) im planning on hoppin up
my rear end to give the much needed traction for my 406.
ive got a sonoma gt and im lookin for advice and knowledge
on what can be done to the frame, bed and suspension
of the rear end to help with this.

 

[TheObiJuan]

Re: rear end work

caltracs, coilovers, 3link, how far do you want to take it?

 

[406sbSonomaGT]

Re: rear end work

what ever i need to do to fit a 9" rear end and wider tires in the back but keep my current ride hight and allow as much traction off the line as possible also keep things from vibrating or whatever at higher speeds

 

[big gear head]

Re: rear end work

I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but you might like a 12 bolt better. It is lighter and it takes less power to turn it. You might want the 9 inch so you can swap gear ratios quicker, but it will cost you a little ET.

 

['JustDreamin']

Re: rear end work

Traction is one of those things that almost everybody with a 2wd vehicle is always looking for more of. And even some of the guys on here with AWD still are looking for more traction.

Leaf spring setups can be made to work, but it will take some work. A poorly designed 4 bar or ladder bars are likely to work much worse than the factory leaf spring setup. The warning here is just because its a 4 bar (or 3 bar or ladder bars or aftermarket anything) doesn't necessarily mean it will work better. It needs to be well designed / configured for the application, and adjusted properly.

Caltracs are a good suggestion if you're thinking about sticking with leafs.

You can certainly put a 12bolt or 9" Ford under the rear. All it takes is a big checkbook balance. There aren't many 9" Fords floating around in junkyards these days (they've been pretty well picked over in the last 25 years) so there aren't too many gems there that will fit. And I don't think the 12 bolt was ever offered in anything narrow enough to fit (stock). If you've got the green, I'd say go for it.

I'm not sure what rear the GT came with. I'm assuming that its the 7.5" 10 bolt. If it is, you're correct in thinking about ditching it. Its a real piece (of Sh!t). Later model trucks (I think starting in about '97) had the option of running the 8.5" 10 bolt, which is light years stronger. In order to get the 8.5" I think you had to have the 4.3l v6 with the 5 speed. The factory "locker" is junk, so you might as well plan on putting something decent in there, so the 8.5" cost wise probably isn't all that much better than the 12 bolt or 9" (once you scrounge up a decent one, put a fresh limited slip, gears, and bearing in it, you're looking at probably $1000+).

Ultimately, here's what you need to do:
1.) Figure out what you have (800hp, 6 million dollars, whatever)
2.) Figure out what you want the truck to do.
3.) Figure out what bits, parts, and pieces you need to make 2.) happen with the constraints you spelled out in 1.) and then BAM! you're done.

What I'm suggesting here is do some research, and a lot of thinking, especially about BUDGET. That's what trips most people up (the whole not looking before they leap and then not having enough cash to finish up scenario).

'JustDreamin'

 

[406sbSonomaGT]

Re: rear end work

would there be a way to just beef up the posi in the 7.5 or 8.5 10 bolt long enough for me to have fun until i save up the money for the entire rear end frame and all? im leanin towards a new 12 bolt for the rear end when i go all out on it.

 

['JustDreamin']

Re: rear end work

The 7.5" / 7.625" 10-bolt is a ticking time bomb. However, if you've got traction issues, that will protect the diff from excessive load.

You can pick up a 8.5" 10-bolt that will fit. 4.3l 5speed equipped trucks from about 95 or 96 should have a 8.5" 10-bolt as std equipment. Posi is still optional, so you'll have to hunt for one. But the factory posi is more of a POSi. They're even available with disc brakes (I think those are '98 & up). Expect to pay for it, however. Seems like 8.5" Posi disc brake 4wd rears sell for $700 to $1000 depending upon vendor, mileage, condition, phase of the moon, etc.

The good news is the 8.5" 10-bolt is fairly durable. You might even be able to make it live and never have to swap to a 12 bolt or 9" or Dana 60 or Rockwell 2 1/2 Ton.

'JustDreamin'

 

[HotRodV6]

Re: rear end work

If i were you id just get a 2WD S-10 8.5 rear end. You can find them on ebay from a place called S-10 Warehouse, they almost always have atleasy one or two 8.5 rears listed and sometimes you can find one out of a 2wd blazer that has the dixk brakes, prices usually run around 700+ just depends on disk brakes or not and how many miles are on it.

Heres a link to there ebay store

http://stores.ebay.com/CHEVY-S10-TRUCK-BLAZER-PARTS-S-10_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQftidZ2QQtZkm

The 8.5 can take alot of power, and you cnt beat it for a bolt in swap.

 

[406sbSonomaGT]

Re: rear end work

the thing is im mostly wondering if there is a relatively cheap way to get a stronger locker than i already have for my rear end so i can solve my one wheel wonder problem until i have the money for the entire rear end suspension and frame

 

[HotRodV6]

Re: rear end work

the thing is im mostly wondering if there is a relatively cheap way to get a stronger locker than i already have for my rear end so i can solve my one wheel wonder problem until i have the money for the entire rear end suspension and frame

You can check out the power trax diff, its like a mini locker that fits inside the stock diff housing, pretty easy to install too.

Here you go

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=PWT%2D92%2D0776%2D2885&N=115+4294925134+4294839047+400018+4294908216+4294901310+4294895113&autoview=sku


Not all that cheap, but very effective, a mini spool would be cheapest. but rear axle life would be greatly reduced.

 

['JustDreamin']

Re: rear end work

However, also note that the "one wheel peel" is actively saving you from blowing up the rearend.

With a good limited slip and some weight transfer, its not too hard to break one of these rears. I broke one in my '93 Z28, while accelerating (was probably doing 20mph plus) and not trying hard (on street tires & old pavement). There was a small pavement transision (probably 1" drop or so) and the rear went BANG. Took 2 teeth off the pinion. And my Z isn't too far from stock (probably 325hp or so).

The Powertrax locker is an effective solution to the one wheel peel, but it doesn't fix the fact that the 7.625" / 7.5" rear isn't up to the challenge of a decently built V8.

The question that you have to answer is this: Is it better to dump $350 into a POS rear to get rid of one wheel peel, knowing that you really need to change rears in the future to make it live? (and that none of the parts interchange).

'JustDreamin'

 

[406sbSonomaGT]

Re: rear end work

im changin the rear anyways but the other thing is im in no way getting as much traction as a Z28 would but then again i dont need to blow out my rear end before i have the money for it