Rear suspension
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 988
Likes: 183
From: South Carolina
Rear suspension
Ok,almost done with front and starting on rear,I’m taking it 1981,to have rebuilt aluminum rear with 3.54 gear,as of now everything is stock,so what are my options besides going back stock,is coil over worth it,this is just for weekend driving no racing,so do want comforbility. Thanks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 988
Likes: 183
From: South Carolina
Sorry,I’m taking it to a shop to put differential after the first of next year,so replacing all u joints,and when the shop tears everything apart,go back with new stuff,I know van steel is good I think.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 937
From: Arizona
Ok,almost done with front and starting on rear,I’m taking it 1981,to have rebuilt aluminum rear with 3.54 gear,as of now everything is stock,so what are my options besides going back stock,is coil over worth it,this is just for weekend driving no racing,so do want comforbility. Thanks
I have been procrastinating putting my 80 up in the air to install a 2004R transmission I've had but i just picked up a transmission jack and higher stands and getting ready to do this, after reading some of your posts i looked up new rear differentials and perhaps going 3.73.
did you purchase a rebuilt differential? Would like to hear some thoughts after.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 937
From: Arizona
with the 2004R now thinking a bit more would be better.
Thanks again and please keep posted.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 937
From: Arizona
I added the wheels and headers/side pipes and love it... both bring allot of attention at shows to my surprise, took away from original a bit in appearance and under the hood with removal of smog etc and added headers but ive kept everything in full to bring it back to original in a weekend.
I have the new 2004r, torque conerter, crossmember, TV cable and bracket ready for install and gonna put it up in the air soon to tackle that, your post has inspired me to pursue different gears.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 704
Likes: 503
From: Temple, TX
I will be very interested in your gear change results, are you going from 3.08? Are you going more stout for a better off the line?
I have been procrastinating putting my 80 up in the air to install a 2004R transmission I've had but i just picked up a transmission jack and higher stands and getting ready to do this, after reading some of your posts i looked up new rear differentials and perhaps going 3.73.
did you purchase a rebuilt differential? Would like to hear some thoughts after.
I have been procrastinating putting my 80 up in the air to install a 2004R transmission I've had but i just picked up a transmission jack and higher stands and getting ready to do this, after reading some of your posts i looked up new rear differentials and perhaps going 3.73.
did you purchase a rebuilt differential? Would like to hear some thoughts after.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 937
From: Arizona
I did this about a year ago in my '80 4-speed car. Went from the stock 3.07 to a rebuilt 3.54. I did it mainly to pave the way for a TKX 5-speed swap sometime in the future so that the added overdrive gear (0.68:1) wouldn't be useless, but the additional "kick" off the line sure doesn't hurt. I still have the 4-speed. The 3.54's work really well with my new cam too and it isn't TOO bad on the highway (2860 rpm @ 65mph).
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 136
Likes: 41
From: Arvada CO
200 4R, 3.73 gears and 255 tires on 15” wheels. With my mild 383, it has good kick and cruises at 75 mph in low 2,000 rpm’s. I went without the lockup because I didn’t want to install the extra wiring and such. It has been a really good upgrade and covers both off the line and highway cruising.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 988
Likes: 183
From: South Carolina
I’m still month or two taking it to the shop to put the rearend in,but since he has to take everything off or close to it,I want to upgrade suspension it appears somebody has already replaced spring,and I also want to replace trailing arms,and maybe different shocks,possibly coil overs,although this car is only weekend cruise and car shows.I already have new u joints,and adjustable strut rods,this is a 1981,with 80k on it. So,will paint anything I can such as half shafts,batwing,and from what I can tell nothing wrong with the bearings,but they can tell me more once it’s apart,also,with trailing arms should I go with straight or the 2 inch offset.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 937
From: Arizona
sounds and looks like it's coming along great, looking forward to seeing the wheels on it and reading the updates, picking up the tranny jack this weekend and putting mine up in the air to start the trans project