Where are you guys finding rear ends?

3041 Views 14 Replies 12 Participants Last post by nova_me1970, Sep 17, 2012

Zerex

Discussion Starter · Sep 14, 2012

I'm having absolutely no luck here on the West coast trying to find a 8.5 10 bolt rear end for my 1968 Acadian (on a budget

).
I've called all the local junkyards, and checked the usual Craigslist, Kijiji, etc.
Where are you guys having the most luck finding parts. Does anyone know a great JY out West or are you just biting the bullet and buying out of the US?
I really want to upgrade to an 8.5 over the winter

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

LeftCoast Carl

· #2 · Sep 14, 2012

Zerex said:
I'm having absolutely no luck here on the West coast trying to find a 8.5 10 bolt rear end for my 1968 Acadian (on a budget).
I've called all the local junkyards, and checked the usual Craigslist, Kijiji, etc.
Where are you guys having the most luck finding parts. Does anyone know a great JY out West or are you just biting the bullet and buying out of the US?
I really want to upgrade to an 8.5 over the winter

I don't know how beefy a set-up you are looking for but i opted to do an Explorer 8.8" posi swap into my '71 Ventura. I chose 3.73 gears and gained 31 spline axles, rear discs and better emergency brakes than stock. The width is almost perfect(1/8" narrower from wheel flange to wheel flange) and they are much tougher than a 10 bolt. in fact,I'm told that they're comparable to a 12bolt in strength.
It does require some fab work,and re-drilling the axles and discs for chevy bolt pattern,but it's not a tough job overall.

Food for thought.....

Leftcoast Carl.

sevenzeronova

· #3 · Sep 14, 2012

What about s10 rear from a 4x4?

taz3

· #4 · Sep 14, 2012

I've been lucky and found a couple late Novas with 8.5's in them, they were rotted beyond repair, but I'm in Ontario. I think the fact that your cars/bodies tend to survive better, make for slim pickings for parts like this.

Prairie Kid

· #5 · Sep 14, 2012

check kijiji every day. and make your search as broad as possible.

as carl said, look for a ford rear end too.

in the end, you could throw in any rear you want if it has leafs with it, and you are on a tight budget, use it.

Pragmatist

· #6 · Sep 14, 2012

LeftCoast Carl said:
I don't know how beefy a set-up you are looking for but i opted to do an Explorer 8.8" posi swap into my '71 Ventura. I chose 3.73 gears and gained 31 spline axles, rear discs and better emergency brakes than stock. The width is almost perfect(1/8" narrower from wheel flange to wheel flange) and they are much tougher than a 10 bolt. in fact,I'm told that they're comparable to a 12bolt in strength.
It does require some fab work,and re-drilling the axles and discs for chevy bolt pattern,but it's not a tough job overall.

Food for thought.....
Leftcoast Carl.

Depending on your front clip it can be easier to just change the front rotors to the ford pattern and order wheels accordingly.

acd65post

· #7 · Sep 14, 2012

Prairie Kid said:
check kijiji every day. and make your search as broad as possible.

as carl said, look for a ford rear end too.

in the end, you could throw in any rear you want if it has leafs with it, and you are on a tight budget, use it.

I would also post a want add but be general and know what deminsions you need.

Something like" wanted - complete rear end or parts- five bolt lug,measuring...inches in width". I need this for my Chevy
I would post a picture of the rear cover.
My thought is, there are a lot of these rearend out there that are just lying around in peoples yards or they may even be under an old utility trailer.
People just have no idea what they are.
Just a thought.
Best of luck

TheDealer

· #8 · Sep 14, 2012

Zerex said:
I'm having absolutely no luck here on the West coast trying to find a 8.5 10 bolt rear end for my 1968 Acadian (on a budget).
I've called all the local junkyards, and checked the usual Craigslist, Kijiji, etc.
Where are you guys having the most luck finding parts. Does anyone know a great JY out West or are you just biting the bullet and buying out of the US?
I really want to upgrade to an 8.5 over the winter[/QUOTe

You could call IWE REAR ENDS ONLY in Burnaby, they did my rear end and were very well priced and great service.

They have everying including the housing as well.

nova_me1970

· #9 · Sep 15, 2012

Certain year half tons and full size blazers and jimmys had 8.5's in them too.You would need to cut down the tubes though. I'm pretty sure they came with 32 spline axels too! Could be a mith, but I've heard the posi units on the ford 8.8 isn't that good.

Pragmatist

· #10 · Sep 15, 2012

Where are you guys finding rear ends?

Bars mostly.

Professor Fate

· #11 · Sep 15, 2012

I find tons of them at the mall (pun intended).:devil:

Fleeter

· #12 · Sep 16, 2012

rear end...

I might have one but I am in Ontario. I can let you know in a day or two.

Brian

Bigwhitechap

· #13 · Sep 16, 2012

8.5 From A Nova Free

Call Aaron Nation at Estacada High School in or around Portland Oregon. He has my old one sitting there and its complete with a 308 gear set up. Tell him Lyle From Church sent ya... If ya need help with shipping it let me know. They have a top 5 High School Mechanics shop.

Zerex

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 16, 2012

Well it looks like I'm heading to the Munro swap meet in October, so hopefully I'll find something there

nova_me1970

· #15 · Sep 17, 2012

If you are willing to go to Vancouver Washington, check out this place. They have a web site. All American Classics, Inc.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

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