taper axles

[bigaadams]

Now I know a number of folks do not particularly care for the taper axle rear gears but with all other argument aside....for the inquiring mind.....if this has been posted prior..excuse my newness to the forum...(we do similar on the pre '57 units, early Plymouth)

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Mopar_Tapered_Axle_Rear_Brake_Conversion

 

[Moparsmitty]

I'm running a tapered axle 8 3/4 in my 64 now that I've ran for years. There's really nothing wrong with these old rears other than they are kind of a pain in the *** to work on. After all, they ran these rears on the old pre 65 drag cars, Max Wedges, Etc. without a lot of problems.

 

[straightaxle65]

Thanks! Thats good info.

 

[Centerline]

It's been posted before but that's OK. Although a lot of guys swap out these rears they are good strong units. Their only drawback is the brake maintenance issue but when you do the upgrade that takes care of the problem. Getting the axles out is a little different procedure but not that big a deal. BTW.. I wrote that wiki article so if you have any questions on how I did it, just ask. :icon_wink:

 

[Sonny Black]

Sonny has a tapered axle's w/ 8 3/4 with 3.55's ratio and 4 speed...
I just don't check the rear brakes as often...dam thing can't stop worth shi7 anyway!
:icon_winkle:

 

[Plucked Chicken]

Very easy to change over to removable drums per the article. Heck that was the first things I ever did to my Mopar or any Mopar..... Just takes the right tools..........

 

[Centerline]

Sonny has a tapered axle's w/ 8 3/4 with 3.55's ratio and 4 speed...
I just don't check the rear brakes as often...dam thing can't stop worth shi7 anyway!
:icon_winkle:

View attachment 161804

Nice '63. I had one in '75 but was in the service at the time and couldn't ship it overseas and had to let it go.

You should do the conversion... I can have both brake drums off my Polara in a jiffy once its on jack stands. When I took the drums off the first time however it was a pain and there was no (zero) lining left on the shoes. Something that isn't all that uncommon with these units given that most people dread getting the drums off. But with the conversion its a piece of cake.

 

[Dodge 330]

Usually the axle and drum are so tightly fused together from years of neglect they are impossible to separate even with the right pullers and a BFH! Especially here in the rust belt.

- - - Updated - - -

Usually the axle and drum are so tightly fused together from years of neglect they are impossible to separate even with the right pullers and a BFH! Especially here in the rust belt.

I put a later Charger rear under mine and upgraded to 11" drums from a Chrysler 300 while I was at it!

 

[khryslerkid]

Very easy to change over to removable drums per the article. Heck that was the first things I ever did to my Mopar or any Mopar..... Just takes the right tools.......

Man! You're doing it all. I'm taking notes!