rear emd confusion?

[rayfrausto]

Okay so i want to upgrade my 77 stock rearend. I want a 3.42 posi rearend how do i go about doing this. I've serched and found info but just confused in general. What are my options. What would be best and not to costly. How much would it he to just rebuild my rearend with posing and 3.42? Or if anyone have or no any for sale

[SkylinesSuck]

Speaking from my experience with gear swaps in the Jeep, it ain't gonna be cheap. I think the normal cost was around $500-$1000 per axle for labor and parts (just gears and bearings) depending who did it. Throw the cost of a LSD on to that and it gets really expensive. Backlash and setting up gears isn't something you can screw around with if you don't know what you are doing from what I've heard. I think the cheapest option is to find a used in good shape complete axle assembly and swap it in if you can find those. I doubt anything comes stock with 3.42's though (or a LSD in good shape.)

[70chevrolet]

definately spring for an eaton posi, It is hands down the best. It cost about $450 but worth every penny. Depending on the gears in there now, you will probably have to upgrade your carrier anyhow. Soup to nuts, you are looking at about $1600. As posted previously, do not trust your buddy who says he knows how to setup a rear end in your driveway. it will grenade in a month. I am always skeptical about used rear ends as well, unless they were set up from the factory or unless the person has a recepit from a shop that set it up. I would call a few high-end hot rod shops in your area and ask who they use. chances are they will all be using the same guy, then use that guy. Trust me on this.. it really sucks to go with someone to save a few bucks and have the rear end start making noise in a few weeks.

[oldsmbl]

i have a 3.42 posi rearend from a 1976 cutlass salon. bought it from a friend after it was wrecked in the front. always planned to put it in my 1977 442, but will likely sell my 442 in the spring. rearend is complete drum to drum. i want $500 for it, but shipping to california would be pricey. greg. gtfolds@att.net (864)616-4619

[Joe Pawlowski]

definately spring for an eaton posi, It is hands down the best. It cost about $450 but worth every penny. Depending on the gears in there now, you will probably have to upgrade your carrier anyhow. Soup to nuts, you are looking at about $1600. As posted previously, do not trust your buddy who says he knows how to setup a rear end in your driveway. it will grenade in a month. I am always skeptical about used rear ends as well, unless they were set up from the factory or unless the person has a recepit from a shop that set it up. I would call a few high-end hot rod shops in your area and ask who they use. chances are they will all be using the same guy, then use that guy. Trust me on this.. it really sucks to go with someone to save a few bucks and have the rear end start making noise in a few weeks.

What he said.i couldnt have put it better.Have a professional do it for you and expect to pay over a grand.

[smblkolds]

Check out JD Race from Richmond Ohio. He specializes in GM diffs. He built a 3.73 posi with brakes and lines a couple years ago for my 76 S. As he did it he E-mailed progress pictures and when I got it he talked me through some sticking points I had installing it as I never did it before. Very satisfied. Might not be the cheapest way to go, but you know what you got when you get it. He ships it "dry". When I opened it up to fill it, it was beautiful. Almost a shame to close it up. I think he is still in business.
Tom

[oldsmobiledave]

Find a 77-85 Olds 88 with factory trailer towing. It will have an 8.5" dif with 3.08s & posi. Even better find an Olds 98 of same vintage & trailer towing option & it will have 3.23s. Sister ship LeSabre & Park Avenue same deal.

Pull the posi section & the gear set. At local Pick & Pull this will costs me about $65 for everything. Buy yourself a new bearing kit & pay someone who knows what they are doing to install. 5 hours labor will cover it. $60/ hr cash usually goes a long way Presto....all finished for peanuts. You have replaced your useless 2.73 open with a cruise freindly 3.08 or 3.23 with posi. Did I mention that the factory used Eaton posi units? :)

Enjoy