Who has different year, make, model rear installed into their X frame?

[Tom Miller]

Getting closer.
Rear is apart and cleaned. Next is to grind whats left of the factory brackets and welds off the 8.5 housing to prepare it to receive the factory 63 lower mounts.

 

[Tom Miller]

A little progress....

 

[Tom Miller]

Making progress.
When I tack welded the 63 lower mounts onto this 8.5 housing the other day and stood there looking at it, I couldn't help but wonder if it is the only one of its kind in existence?
With some luck and spare time, I hope to have the upper arms and mounts made this week.

 

[Tom Miller]

Ok, to me this is looking encouraging.
Pinion angle looks good. Ride height looks close enough for starting point, arm angles in relationship to instant center look pretty good.
I'm liking it.

 

[heddrik]

Nice looking job. You have equipment and skills I lack!

 

[scott hall]

Run it thru some travel. I think you see the heirs won’t have enough side travel. Think they will bind. Not going to just go up and down but think

 

[Tom Miller]

Run it thru some travel. I think you see the heirs won’t have enough side travel. Think they will bind. Not going to just go up and down but think

I have to shorten those upper arms by about an inch, and I'm going to relax the angle a few degrees, but those are the high misalignment heims, I think we're going to be ok. Will know more tomorrow when stuff is welded up, and I can run it through some travel.

 

[La Hot Rods]

Your plan is a high ride height is it not?

 

[Tom Miller]

No, pretty much stock height in rear, nose high up front.
I got under my 63 409 BelAir and took some measurements of what it is at stock ride height, and trying to match those.

 

[Tom Miller]

I know I'm cross posting from my build thread, but this post should probably have the update since it pertains to it.
Got the rear all triangulated, it goes up and down with no binding.
Can lift one side all the way to the bump stop with the other side hanging on bottom.
Still have finish welding and some other braces to make, but it looks like its going to work out great

 

[Tom Miller]

Ok, parts finish tig welded, painted, and reinstalled to double check everything.
Rear is centered.
We set it all the way on bottom, then lifted it as high as it will go, or maybe I should say its as far as the rear will hang with the body raised.
Then with one side all the way up, put the other on bottom. Heims still look good.
Started making the forward crossmember reinforcement brackets today also.
Will probably try to finish weld the lower brackets onto the housing, and get ready to put this in the car.

 

[425/409ER]

Nice work.

 

[55Brodie]

Looks super beefy. Sweet.

 

[Tom Miller]

Thanks guys. Looking forward to getting it in the car.

 

[425/409ER]

You know, if you started fabbing up that upper brackets and made control arms you could make some money on that design. I sure would be interested, but I know the labor on stuff like this is a killer. Fantastic job.

 

[Tom Miller]

Just don't throw too much power at that 8.5 if it has the "corporate" posi unit,the carrier will break taking the ring and pinion with it.Usually about 400-430 is enough to result in failure.

I think I'm going to go ahead and buy an aftermarket HD posi unit to put this back together with.
Already bought Moser Axles.
Just doesn't make sense to put it all back together with a possibly delicate factory posi unit, and risk breaking it and wiping out the gears at the same time.
You're right Don.

 

[Don Jacks]

If you can still get one Tom,the Eaton units are by far the best.Did you get 30 spline axles,or stay with the 28's?

 

[Tom Miller]

If you can still get one Tom,the Eaton units are by far the best.Did you get 30 spline axles,or stay with the 28's?

28 spline.
Bought them from a friend that had purchased them last year for a project he has since sold.
I have a cousin that works at Eaton that can get me a posi at his cost, which ends up being not a whole lot more than a rebuild kit costs for the factory unit.

 

[Don Jacks]

If you're building a "Stock "300 horse 327,you won't break 28's.

 

[pvs409]

I know I'm cross posting from my build thread, but this post should probably have the update since it pertains to it.
Got the rear all triangulated, it goes up and down with no binding.
Can lift one side all the way to the bump stop with the other side hanging on bottom.
Still have finish welding and some other braces to make, but it looks like its going to work out great

Tom
trying to find pictures of everything I am picking up housing, brackets on frame connecting brackets, rear end,axles
Paul