Rear End swap - opinions
 

So I may be faced with the decision to finally replace my factory 10 bolt. Found some seepage where axle tube and carrier meet. Rear end is now removed and a reputable shop was going to properly weld tubes to carrier, however upon disassembly, they found the Yukon rear axles (with maybe 1,000 street miles and maybe 30 or so drag passes) are twisted :eek:

So now the dilemma of repairing what I have to not mess with suspension, or "move up" to a stronger unit and start from scratch. Car will also be driven on the street. My suspension mods were simply boxed lower control arms and HO "hop stops" (relocate upper control arms location) and car hooked and handled very well (consistent 1.60 flat 60 foot times)

Seemingly if the 10 bolt no longer can handle the duties, I'm leaning toward at 12" rather than 9" Ford setup. Likely the HO hop stops would no longer fit. Not sure if I only need to be concerned with final pinion angle or are the angles of the control arms (between top and bottom) also critical. For differential choices, I like the fact my 10 bolt style limited slip has worked well without rebuilding the way clutch types need. Seemingly no such option for either 12 bolt or 9" -shopping Moser's website, seems "wavetrac" is the more reliable unit?

Just wondering what other folks have done and results. This car is both street and drag use, thus want to limit to bolt on suspension items and have a good solid rear, traction as well as street-ability.

If you're twisting axles...that's a pretty good sign it's time to move up. However, there are people who can make a 10 bolt live a long hard life.

I ordered as Quick Time Performance 9 inch Ford and it was a drop-in for my car. If needed, I can swap-out the center section for gear changes but primarily I just wanted the stronger rear end. A 12 Bolt would be an equally good choice. If you need "no-hop" bars you might consider adjustable upper control arms instead.

I ordered a 12 bolt with Tru-Trac from Moser, and while like in Surf's signature I might have found a cheaper route, I've put over 500 hp to it road racing for years without issue, that alone is worth the extra.
I also spec'd the big Ford (Torino) bearings, meaning no C clips.

May as well go to a 9", with big axles, and enjoy all the advantages of the removable chunk, and the large number of available gear ratios, and other 9" parts.

The 8.2 10 bolt is the weakest out there. there is an 8.5 10 bolt that came in some Buicks and Olds that is a bolt in and can be built strong. they can be hard to find. Of course a 12 bolt- Moser has a stronger casting than the originals. There is a 9" or a Strange Dana 60 all ready to pop in.

While I became an expert on changing out complete 8.2" 10-Bolt rear axles in the 60s, and even a 12 Bolt (with good service package axles) in the 70s, the 9" Moser axle with the Bena Pinion Seal/Ford Gears/Torino Bearings on the axles, and the Strange carrier have been well worth every dollar I spent.

Tom V.

X2 on the 9", got mine from quick performance also. I can't believe your 8.2 lasted very long with your setup.

9" rear
 

I bought a Quick Performance nine with moser axles. Very nice rear. The Moser is nice too but more money.

Thanks everyone, will look closely at both Moser and quick performance.

I found a 12 bolt core from a '65 Chevelle (narrower to fit my '65) and added an Eaton posi with some new axles.

this is a Quick Performance 9"
 

Can you fit your sway bar with this in place? Did you order it with the GM ends? Thanks!

When I built the wife car 5 years ago, I just called Moser and had them build me one of their 12 bolts with a spool, 35 spline axles, big ford bearing (no C clips), with perch mounts already welded on. Add your own backing plates and brakes and away you go.

When I redid my car a couple years ago, I sold the 12 bolt I had in the car and applied that to another new Moser Built reared but this time I went with the Dana with 40 spline axles and 5/8 studs.
We drive both cars on the street and hers has actually competed and finished Hot Rod Magazines DragWeek the last two years with no issues even with the spool, that alone is 2000+ street miles. Best money you'll spend on a rearend. I went with the Dana in mine because the weight difference is a mute point between that and a 9" and the 9" takes more HP to spin over the Dana. The Dana takes the least amount per Moser.

I also agree with the 9" ford. A lot of options available. However, the 8.2 can take some abuse. I ran one for years on the street and track. It was well prepped...I was running 10.40's at 3200lbs.
I still have it but will upgrade it to a 9" as I finish redoing the car..

Call Strange and get a bolt in 9" and be done.

I have a Quickperformance 9" with spool in my '65. Bolted right in and also bought a Wilwood brake kit at the same time. So far so good.