[Tom Vaught]

I have the Ford Mustang/Explorer & GM Bolt Pattern on the rear (because I am using Explorer Rear Disc Brakes) and I have Front Hubs that have both the Mustang and the GTO Bolt Pattern on the front. I can use either the 16" Trans Am rims or the 18" Mustang Torque Thrust 2 Rims.

A Lot of flexibility there. The Axles use a threaded Axle Stud. Same deal with the Aluminum Front Hubs.

Tom V.

[1968GTO421]

Originally Posted by cabhop

I would just build the O-rear that you have; these people seem to have the parts to make it last.
http://www.supercarsunlimited.com/Differential-c10.asp


Or sell it to these folks who run with Dr Oldsmobile...
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...differentials/

I would try using these folks if this axle is what you're referring to. I used a '60 Olds rear in the 60's for racing----it was bulletproof.

https://fabcraftmetalworks.com/

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by redhawk44

I, had a conversation with a friend who recommended that I go with the ford 9 inch to replace the Oldsmbile "O" rear end that was there when I got 65 LeMans. I told him that there would never be a ford part on my Pontiac. Well, fast forward 2 years and I am seriously considering doing it, mainly because of cost. I have been looking for that magic deal on a 12 bolt and haven't come across it yet. Most of the aftermarket setups cost a little more than I can afford right now.
I guess I'm looking for advice from those of you who have already gone this route. Any help/advice will be appreciated. Thanks guys

If your car came stock with the HD 3 speed manual transmission, it was indeed born with a Ford part. The HD 3 speed was a Dearborn-produced unit and was standard in the GTO and optional in the LeMans and Tempest in these years. It was also stronger than the 4 speed Muncie which is much more commonly found in these cars these days. Just sayin'...

[rohrt]

I have been watching this build. Seems appropriate for the conversation. Try and ignore the fact that he calls it a 67 and says it has a Buick motor twice. Still a nice rear setup IMO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjDJvNQ_2AI

[equidr]

Have put circle track floaters in one project and am currently looking for one for my 80 T/A project. One drawback I see is that I can only find 31 spline axles for the floaters. I'm sure they are available from someone as the big boys run very short floaters in their pro mods etc.

[skullbucket]

Spend some bucks and put in a "Dana 60" out of a 70 Challenger like I did in a 68 Firebird!

[Ponchy]

^^^what skullbucket said^^^

[mikes2nd]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

You have pics of that installed? I'm interested. You say you had the front hubs redrilled for a Ford bolt pattern? Or did I misunderstand?

.

I'm crazy so hey... yeah I had the bolt pattern drilled on the front of the Z06 hub, I have a whole z06 front end on my 70 GTO(Cradle and LS3) the firewall cut way back.

I also have Z06 rear brakes on a Ford Gt500 rear axle... yeah try that next Tuesday... it just required some spacers, and you have to pull the axle to put new parking brakes in

I will hunt down pics if your still interested, its a pro touring deal

I have a custom frame setup in the back.

take that axle, I got for a steal brand new from Roush in Michigan. cut the mounts off, made my own.

Slap this watts link on the back
https://www.americanmuscle.com/white...link-0510.html

grab some adjustable control arms, weld the mounts on the frame.

https://www.americanmuscle.com/j-m-a...-red-0514.html

https://www.americanmuscle.com/bmr-a...poly-0510.html


Add a stabilizer bar

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Ad...2004-P546.aspx

[gene simmons]

Originally Posted by rohrt

I have been watching this build. Seems appropriate for the conversation. Try and ignore the fact that he calls it a 67 and says it has a Buick motor twice. Still a nice rear setup IMO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjDJvNQ_2AI

They don't mention or show anything for e-brake cables on the 11" drums. If you have a 9" in a GM A-body with 4 way drums,you either have to switch to 4 way discs,go with the Ford 11" drums and front GM drums without an e-brake cable,or have GM ends installed on the 9" housing in order to use the factory GM e-brake cables.

[64speed]

Originally Posted by gene simmons

They don't mention or show anything for e-brake cables on the 11" drums. If you have a 9" in a GM A-body with 4 way drums,you either have to switch to 4 way discs,go with the Ford 11" drums and front GM drums without an e-brake cable,or have GM ends installed on the 9" housing in order to use the factory GM e-brake cables.

I am using the 9 inch with the explorer disc brakes and was told I could use my factory e cables with some mods but we will see.

[gene simmons]

Originally Posted by 64speed

I am using the 9 inch with the explorer disc brakes and was told I could use my factory e cables with some mods but we will see.

That would be interesting to find out. I have 10" ford drums and was going to go with the 11" drums,no one had any solutions for a cable going from the frame to the 11" drum,on my 66 Lemans,and i do not have any factory cables to see if it works. Chances are,i will never go front discs,so my options are GM ends on the 9",unless someone has another good idea.

My 9" project has been a real pain in the a$$. I have spent more money on redoing it and still haven't been able to use it,and now the car is apart for bodywork.

[HWYSTR455]

I ran 11" drums with a 9" in my 'bird and had e-brakes. The cables you can have made to any length, any ends, but I recall using my originals, but that was years ago.

When doing a 9", I would think you would be better off just ordering it with 12 bolt GM ends, the hybrid ones from Moser use the big Torino bearing, so there's no loss, only benefits.

Just like with any upgrade/mod, you need to think it through before you pull the trigger.

.

[gene simmons]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

I ran 11" drums with a 9" in my 'bird and had e-brakes. The cables you can have made to any length, any ends, but I recall using my originals, but that was years ago.

When doing a 9", I would think you would be better off just ordering it with 12 bolt GM ends, the hybrid ones from Moser use the big Torino bearing, so there's no loss, only benefits.

Just like with any upgrade/mod, you need to think it through before you pull the trigger.

.

The 12 bolt ends on a 9" is the way to go for me,since i want new billet ends and to keep the original e-brake system. Quick Performance has this as an option with there Housing/Axle packages:Billet GM 10/12 (with seal surface for GM 8.5 10 or 12 bolt car drum brakes

I don't know who does custom brake cables for GM to Ford.

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by gene simmons

The 12 bolt ends on a 9" is the way to go for me,since i want new billet ends and to keep the original e-brake system. Quick Performance has this as an option with there Housing/Axle packages:Billet GM 10/12 (with seal surface for GM 8.5 10 or 12 bolt car drum brakes

I don't know who does custom brake cables for GM to Ford.

Ok, here's the thing, the cables are basically the same for all makes and models, they are just different lengths (cable and housing). And yes, you can have them made to any length, custom.

http://www.controlcables.com/

Looks at the cable arm pics attached. All they are is a fork that captures the cable end. The cable housing just needs to not slip through the backing plate hole. Like I said, I'm fairly certain I used my original cables when I went from a 10 bolt to a 9".

Back to the housing ends. Yes, many make the GM ends to go on 9" housing, but most you still end up with the tapered bearings. That's what makes the Moser ones different, because they use the large Ford Torino bearings.

Who is doing the work on your 9"? I would be surprised if a shop wouldn't give you options if you ask them.

Never say never. Why would you not ever want to go to disc brakes? If you are trying to maintain originality, why would you be doing a 9"? Regardless, there are brake kits for every common rear flanges out there, so it's not a problem anyway. For the front, there are kits that work with the OE drum spindles.

When it comes to ordering a housing, it makes sense to order a GM end on a 9", so you're not limited to disc kits that are available for Ford ends (or drum for that matter). You get stuck with Ford ends having to find rotors (or drums) drilled for a GM pattern.

If you keep the Ford bolt pattern on the rear, you end up having issues finding wheels that match front/rear. (Not to mention stud/nut sizes)

Moser is the only folks who I am aware of that have the hybrid ends, but other rear shops do buy them from Moser an offer them.

Always do your homework before you pull the trigger, or you will be doing it over again.

.

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by 64speed

I am using the 9 inch with the explorer disc brakes and was told I could use my factory e cables with some mods but we will see.

When I went to the rear disc kit (on a 12 bolt) that uses T-Bird calipers, I used my original cables with that. As stated, cables are pretty much the same across the board, it's just a matter of cable and housing length.

Because of intermediate cable lengths, sometimes the rear cable doesn't get the correct 'pull'. But you can adjust the intermediate cable, or buy a different length one. So if the rear cable is just not quite right, you may be able to compensate with the intermediate cable.

.

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by mikes2nd

I'm crazy so hey... yeah I had the bolt pattern drilled on the front of the Z06 hub, I have a whole z06 front end on my 70 GTO(Cradle and LS3) the firewall cut way back.

I also have Z06 rear brakes on a Ford Gt500 rear axle... yeah try that next Tuesday... it just required some spacers, and you have to pull the axle to put new parking brakes in

I will hunt down pics if your still interested, its a pro touring deal

I have a custom frame setup in the back.

take that axle, I got for a steal brand new from Roush in Michigan. cut the mounts off, made my own.

Slap this watts link on the back
https://www.americanmuscle.com/white...link-0510.html

grab some adjustable control arms, weld the mounts on the frame.

https://www.americanmuscle.com/j-m-a...-red-0514.html

https://www.americanmuscle.com/bmr-a...poly-0510.html


Add a stabilizer bar

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Ad...2004-P546.aspx

Impressive, I like the engineering that went into that, very out of the box thinking there!

You should have a build thread going!

.

[redhawk44]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Ok, here's the thing, the cables are basically the same for all makes and models, they are just different lengths (cable and housing). And yes, you can have them made to any length, custom.

http://www.controlcables.com/

Looks at the cable arm pics attached. All they are is a fork that captures the cable end. The cable housing just needs to not slip through the backing plate hole. Like I said, I'm fairly certain I used my original cables when I went from a 10 bolt to a 9".

Back to the housing ends. Yes, many make the GM ends to go on 9" housing, but most you still end up with the tapered bearings. That's what makes the Moser ones different, because they use the large Ford Torino bearings.

Who is doing the work on your 9"? I would be surprised if a shop wouldn't give you options if you ask them.

Never say never. Why would you not ever want to go to disc brakes? If you are trying to maintain originality, why would you be doing a 9"? Regardless, there are brake kits for every common rear flanges out there, so it's not a problem anyway. For the front, there are kits that work with the OE drum spindles.

When it comes to ordering a housing, it makes sense to order a GM end on a 9", so you're not limited to disc kits that are available for Ford ends (or drum for that matter). You get stuck with Ford ends having to find rotors (or drums) drilled for a GM pattern.

If you keep the Ford bolt pattern on the rear, you end up having issues finding wheels that match front/rear. (Not to mention stud/nut sizes)

Moser is the only folks who I am aware of that have the hybrid ends, but other rear shops do buy them from Moser an offer them.

Always do your homework before you pull the trigger, or you will be doing it over again.

.

Well said HWY. All good points.

[gene simmons]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Ok, here's the thing, the cables are basically the same for all makes and models, they are just different lengths (cable and housing). And yes, you can have them made to any length, custom.

http://www.controlcables.com/

Looks at the cable arm pics attached. All they are is a fork that captures the cable end. The cable housing just needs to not slip through the backing plate hole. Like I said, I'm fairly certain I used my original cables when I went from a 10 bolt to a 9".

Back to the housing ends. Yes, many make the GM ends to go on 9" housing, but most you still end up with the tapered bearings. That's what makes the Moser ones different, because they use the large Ford Torino bearings.

Who is doing the work on your 9"? I would be surprised if a shop wouldn't give you options if you ask them.

Never say never. Why would you not ever want to go to disc brakes? If you are trying to maintain originality, why would you be doing a 9"? Regardless, there are brake kits for every common rear flanges out there, so it's not a problem anyway. For the front, there are kits that work with the OE drum spindles.

When it comes to ordering a housing, it makes sense to order a GM end on a 9", so you're not limited to disc kits that are available for Ford ends (or drum for that matter). You get stuck with Ford ends having to find rotors (or drums) drilled for a GM pattern.

If you keep the Ford bolt pattern on the rear, you end up having issues finding wheels that match front/rear. (Not to mention stud/nut sizes)

Moser is the only folks who I am aware of that have the hybrid ends, but other rear shops do buy them from Moser an offer them.

Always do your homework before you pull the trigger, or you will be doing it over again.

.

Thanks for the explanation and great information. I should try stock a-body cables first. Quick Performance built the 9" and used the stock ends,early 2000,but i have had them make changes since then. At that time they had told me to find a brake setup from a Torino,new style big bearing,but now have new billet ends. They never could provide me with a good solution for a cable from GM to the Ford drum,the kit they had was Lokar,and it didn't work.

Now i need to decide on a brake setup that will utilize the e-brake cable,so the GM ends seem to be the logical step,since the stock ends need replaced. Its not likely i will go with rear disc,fronts maybe,i need to finish this project,in order to drive it once again.

This 9" has been a pain for years,i had Qp build it before a lot of these new parts existed. I have the 35 spline axles with the large tapered roller bearings.

[HWYSTR455]

If you haven't bought the ends yet, look at these:

http://www.moserengineering.com/7900...lip-axles.item

Not sure if those are the hybrid ones, since they look like they are for 10/12 bolt housing. (The tubes are different sizes from Ford 9"). But you can call and ask. I think they changed the design so it has a step in it, so it can fit different size tubes.

You will have to change your bearings out, but it's worth it.

I've heard the Lokar ones are not as good as most think, and have heard of issues with them.

Anyway, you will get through this, and wish you the best in success!

EDIT: The tapered bearings are not bad, but you have to shim them to adjust preload. That preload, if not right, directly impacts kickback, and if it's sloppy, you can get wander on the highway.

.

[gene simmons]

I haven't bought the ends yet,that looks to be what i need.Quick performance uses a lot of moser parts,they may have that part in stock,i will have to call and get specifics for my application.

Thanks Hwystr455,i appreciate that,it's a tremendous help,good information for the OP as well.