67FSTBKRestoMod
Member
Thought i would go ahead and start a thread for anyone in the future thinking about doing this swap especially for 64-66 guys out there. I was always planing on putting a 9 in the back but after reading musgofasta's 8.8 thread i was inspired. I am however taking it a few steps further since i don't like the offset pinion and the added angle i'm narrowing it. i figured i could build this 8.8 for a fraction of what it would take to build a 9 the same way so monday i went to pick n pull and nabbed an 8.8 3.73 LSD from a 96 exploder and drug it home. Here she is when i first got here home monday.
I was able to tear it all down that night
to narrow it i first drilled out the plugs, starting with a smaller bit and working up to a 1/2 inch. I then used a chisel and hammer to smosh in the the head of the plug and pop it out. Then i used a 10 ton body ram to push the axle tube out, first marking the tube and diff housing for reference points for reinsert
Here is the rear with the tube out
markings
I then used a square for the markings
The tube needs to be shortened exactly 3 inches so that i can use another short side axle from yet another exploder.
Use a chop saw to make sure the cut is exactly square
i then beveled the edge to help assist in pushing the tube back in the diff housing using 36, 80 then 180 sand paper and remarked the markings.
Now for pushing the tube back in, this is where i had to get somewhat creative, i used a 12 ton pipe bender and a chain anchored to it to press the tube back into the housing
I then plug welded the the old press plug holes
After that i removed all the rest of the brackets and sanded down the axle tubes to get rid of little inconsistencies for measuring the tubes.
Cleaned up the edges where it will be welded
doing about 3/4 at a time i welded the tubes to the housing allowing plenty of time to cool between welds and constantly measuring the tubes with a digital angle finder to make sure the tubes don't move. I was successful in keeping the tubes from warping or moving.
I then cut off the bracket location, this is not necessary i just didn't like it.
Here it is as it sits now,
I'll update more as it comes along.
Cost so far
Complete rear end: $150
Short side axle: $17
I was able to tear it all down that night
to narrow it i first drilled out the plugs, starting with a smaller bit and working up to a 1/2 inch. I then used a chisel and hammer to smosh in the the head of the plug and pop it out. Then i used a 10 ton body ram to push the axle tube out, first marking the tube and diff housing for reference points for reinsert
Here is the rear with the tube out
markings
I then used a square for the markings
The tube needs to be shortened exactly 3 inches so that i can use another short side axle from yet another exploder.
Use a chop saw to make sure the cut is exactly square
i then beveled the edge to help assist in pushing the tube back in the diff housing using 36, 80 then 180 sand paper and remarked the markings.
Now for pushing the tube back in, this is where i had to get somewhat creative, i used a 12 ton pipe bender and a chain anchored to it to press the tube back into the housing
I then plug welded the the old press plug holes
After that i removed all the rest of the brackets and sanded down the axle tubes to get rid of little inconsistencies for measuring the tubes.
Cleaned up the edges where it will be welded
doing about 3/4 at a time i welded the tubes to the housing allowing plenty of time to cool between welds and constantly measuring the tubes with a digital angle finder to make sure the tubes don't move. I was successful in keeping the tubes from warping or moving.
I then cut off the bracket location, this is not necessary i just didn't like it.
Here it is as it sits now,
I'll update more as it comes along.
Cost so far
Complete rear end: $150
Short side axle: $17
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