Will a 96 Rear fit an 85???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 986
Likes: 99
From: Collegeville PA
Will a 96 Rear fit an 85???
A friend of mine has an 85 Automatic and is looking to replace his rear with one out of a 96. I think that I've heard that 88 - 96 Rears are interchangeable, but I'm not sure why the 84 - 87's would be different.
Anyone know for sure... :confused:
Thanks :flag
Anyone know for sure... :confused:
Thanks :flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix AZ
Re: Will a 96 Rear fit an 85??? (Triple Black 88)
The differentials are the same but since the wheel offset was changed in '88 the knuckles or something has to be different. I am told you can't just change the front suspension out too and update everything to the later offset, you have to cut the crossmember out of the frame and graft in an '88 and up crossmember. The change had something to do with the "scrub radius" in the front steering (I heard this improved stability during hard braking on rough surfaces, but I have never noticed this to be a problem on my '85 or '86)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
Re: Will a 96 Rear fit an 85??? (Triple Black 88)
The center section and rear cover will interchange - use everthing
else from the '85 (half shafts, hubs, brakes, strut rods, etc.)
If you're also changing from a Dana 36 to a Dana 44 then you will
also need the drive line support (c-beam) and driveshaft.
Dan
else from the '85 (half shafts, hubs, brakes, strut rods, etc.)
If you're also changing from a Dana 36 to a Dana 44 then you will
also need the drive line support (c-beam) and driveshaft.
Dan
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 670
Likes: 3
From: Beloit WI
Re: Will a 96 Rear fit an 85??? (Triple Black 88)
A friend of mine has an 85 Automatic and is looking to replace his rear with one out of a 96. I think that I've heard that 88 - 96 Rears are interchangeable, but I'm not sure why the 84 - 87's would be different.
Anyone know for sure... :confused:
Thanks :flag
Anyone know for sure... :confused:
Thanks :flag
If you just want a 96 differential, you can swap in just that with its carrier cover, and modify the 85 camber control (strut) mounts to bolt to the 96 diff.
If you want the 96 full suspension swap, then its a little more involved and will give you approximately 1.5 " more total width at the axle flanges. Also it's necessary to drill holes on the underside of the frame /weld in threaded inserts for the proper 96 uppur shock mount. Parking brake cables have to be mated together.
Front 96 suspension requires 96 crossmember(bolts) in. Cut off tops of 85 upper shock mounts and weld on 96. You also need 96 brake line across crossmember, and to do it right weld in the late model frame stiffer pieces at the frame kick up. This allows mounting of the larger later diagonal crossmember braces. Its necessary to trim inner wheel well panels as well. Ther's a few oyher details, but you can get the picture. :banghead:
Steve
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 986
Likes: 99
From: Collegeville PA
Re: Will a 96 Rear fit an 85??? (2manyC4s)
If you just want a 96 differential, you can swap in just that with its carrier cover, and modify the 85 camber control (strut) mounts to bolt to the 96 diff.
So from responses, it sounds like the 96 rear will fit in the 85 :confused: How involved is it to modify the Strut Mounts :confused:
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 670
Likes: 3
From: Beloit WI
Re: Will a 96 Rear fit an 85??? (Triple Black 88)
If you just want a 96 differential, you can swap in just that with its carrier cover, and modify the 85 camber control (strut) mounts to bolt to the 96 diff.
Here is a pic of the Rear. He is just looking to swap pumkins, not the whole Rear Suspention (See Pics).
So from responses, it sounds like the 96 rear will fit in the 85 :confused: How involved is it to modify the Strut Mounts :confused:
OK, all you need to do is get the 85 Carrier cover and 85 strut brackets to fit the 96 pumpkin. You need the 96 strut to carrier bolts(4) that go thru the 4 holes(2 on each side) on the upper corners in your pic( pumpkin is upside down in pic). Those 4 bolts and their holes are larger diameter on a 96, so you'll need to drill out the 85 cover and strut brackets. You'll see that this weakens those parts some what, so to be safe you should weld larger plate washers over the strut bracket holes. also, once the brackets are bolted in place , it's a good idea to weld a horizontal strap across the bottom tieing the 2 brackets together. This will adequately reinforce them.
Steve
Here is a pic of the Rear. He is just looking to swap pumkins, not the whole Rear Suspention (See Pics).
So from responses, it sounds like the 96 rear will fit in the 85 :confused: How involved is it to modify the Strut Mounts :confused:
OK, all you need to do is get the 85 Carrier cover and 85 strut brackets to fit the 96 pumpkin. You need the 96 strut to carrier bolts(4) that go thru the 4 holes(2 on each side) on the upper corners in your pic( pumpkin is upside down in pic). Those 4 bolts and their holes are larger diameter on a 96, so you'll need to drill out the 85 cover and strut brackets. You'll see that this weakens those parts some what, so to be safe you should weld larger plate washers over the strut bracket holes. also, once the brackets are bolted in place , it's a good idea to weld a horizontal strap across the bottom tieing the 2 brackets together. This will adequately reinforce them.
Steve
