starting rearend project, ?

[boneheadsGeTeX]

I have a 1970 GTX ..I'm starting on rearend ,and need advice /help anything that mite help me out ,,....I'm about to order parts ,just wanting to check you guys out and see of I'm on right track ,,,,8 3/4 rear. ..iv Got a 355 gear surgrip ,to put in ,,going to replace leaf sping with Summit springs 2 inch lower ,hotchkis shackels, qa1 shocks,,,also going with disc brakes ,conversion ,,,,things that I'm needing to know is ,,with a 2 in lower will my 15 " 275x60 fit ? Do I need to replace wheel Barrons ,when I put in new 3rd members? I'm no mechanic by no meens ,just shad tree ,pats changer ,,so anything yall can say ,will be appreciated. ..thanks

 

[1967coronet440]

I have a 1970 GTX ..I'm starting on rearend ,and need advice /help anything that mite help me out ,,....I'm about to order parts ,just wanting to check you guys out and see of I'm on right track ,,,,8 3/4 rear. ..iv Got a 355 gear surgrip ,to put in ,,going to replace leaf sping with Summit springs 2 inch lower ,hotchkis shackels, qa1 shocks,,,also going with disc brakes ,conversion ,,,,things that I'm needing to know is ,,with a 2 in lower will my 15 " 275x60 fit ? Do I need to replace wheel Barrons ,when I put in new 3rd members? I'm no mechanic by no meens ,just shad tree ,pats changer ,,so anything yall can say ,will be appreciated. ..thanks

What Disc brakes are you going with? Wilwoods require you use the green bearings

 

[1967coronet440]

Your one stop shop for differentials

http://www.doctordiff.com/

 

[boneheadsGeTeX]

I'm going with pirate jacks ,11 in standard disc conversation

 

[1967coronet440]

I'm going with pirate jacks ,11 in standard disc conversation

Not familiar with them, give cass (aka dr diff) a call if you need anything he carries it

 

[69 GTX]

On my conversion, the rotors moved the wheels out about .25-.375 per side. Check to see how much clearance you have now. Also recheck your pinion angle when you're done.

 

[boneheadsGeTeX]

Don't have much clearance now ,bout 1/2 to 3/4,,,,can't spear much at all .

 

[PurpleBeeper]

It sounds like your disc brake kit might not clear with those tires, so double check. You definitely should check your rear end pinion angle after installing different rear spings & shackles. If the angle is off, then the rear end has to come back off the car & you'll need to find a shop willing to cut/re-weld new spring perches & set your pinion angle which ain't cheap or easy. Otherwise, your idea sounds good and 3.55's would be the largest gear ratio I'd recommend for a street-driven car without overdrive.

 

[66Satellite47]

It sounds like your disc brake kit might not clear with those tires, so double check. You definitely should check your rear end pinion angle after installing different rear spings & shackles. If the angle is off, then the rear end has to come back off the car & you'll need to find a shop willing to cut/re-weld new spring perches & set your pinion angle which ain't cheap or easy. Otherwise, your idea sounds good and 3.55's would be the largest gear ratio I'd recommend for a street-driven car without overdrive.

Actually if the angle isn't off too much, you can shim between the spring & perch it to correct. Disc conversion does need carefull consideration.

 

[boneheadsGeTeX]

As I said I'm not much of a mechanic, but I am the master malupultor of molten metals. .I'm pipe fitter /welder by trade ,,,but I'm not wanting to cut and weld ...my car now ,with wore out bushings a week sping ,sit about where I want it, ,i was thinking with new sping and shocks shackels ect ,that it mite sit higher ? ,so that's why I was thinking bout 2 in lower sping

 

[69 GTX]

I found a 65 B body dana which happened to be about .75 narrower than the std 69 axle so it worked out for me.

 

[boneheadsGeTeX]

I was going to order my springs today ,,but not sure I want 2 inch lower than standard, ,, ,? I'm just afraid with new sping (standard ) and shackels ,that it will raise it up to high?

 

[69 GTX]

What is wrong with the springs you have?

 

[boneheadsGeTeX]

What is wrong with the springs you have?

Well just guessing their old and weak , it looks bad ,not much bushing left in shackels ,and they feel weak when you mash down on it,, the *** drops alot it has old air shocks ,lines been cut no air ,, ,,,,mite only need bushing ,,and shocks ,but I was going to do it all wile I had the rear out ,,,,,,that's my thinkin ,? I just don't want to rebuild everything and it be 2 inches higher than it is right now

 

[69 GTX]

I would strart with new bushings & shocks. Also check to make sure all the spring pack clamps are there.

 

[69 GTX]

If you were closer I have a set that I'd give ya.

 

[boneheadsGeTeX]

If you were closer I have a set that I'd give ya.

Ya I wish .....did you not like them ?


Darn don't know what to do now ..

 

[PurpleBeeper]

In my opinion, just put in a new set of standard height springs. If your OEM ones are really "that bad" they'll be bent over backwards. It's only the super-stock springs that hike the rear end up in the air & cause pinion angle alignment issues as far as I know.

Also, if it's only the rear shackle bushings rotted out, then why not just replace those first + shocks and see how the rear end feels? The front spring bushings need to be pressed out, so if they're bad too then go ahead and buy some springs.

Don't worry. None of this is too tough once you unload the weight off the rear suspension.

 

[66Satellite47]

Well just guessing their old and weak , it looks bad ,not much bushing left in shackels ,and they feel weak when you mash down on it,, the *** drops alot it has old air shocks ,lines been cut no air ,, ,,,,mite only need bushing ,,and shocks ,but I was going to do it all wile I had the rear out ,,,,,,that's my thinkin ,? I just don't want to rebuild everything and it be 2 inches higher than it is right now

Get good look at the springs, if the axle housing is unbolted, loosen the center bolt on each spring to see if you happen to have a broken leaf, not likely, but I've had that. If you can see that the bushings in the rear are bad, replace them cheap enough, definitely replace the junk air shocks. If you decide on new leaf springs, I'd go with either Mopar XHD (stock on Hemi cars & Super Track Pak 440's really a good setup, Mancini sells these) or ESPO. I had ESPO's & worked very well.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Were did you find a 65' Dana 60? They weren't available till 66' or 67'.