Posted 2015-01-21 8:54 AM (#468187) Subject: 61 Rear Axle change
Location: Montana
Good morning guys,
I have a 61 Pioneer wagon that I am getting ready to work on the rear end. Obivously I have the tapered axles which I would like to change over to the flanged 65 and newer axles. I want to go to 33 spline axles and detroit locker with disc brakes.
Has anyone ever changed the housing ends over to the newer style before? I have access to a machine shop so the cutting and welding the ends on would be no problem. Is this a feasible idea or is there any major difference on the housing ends that will prevent this from working?
Posted 2015-01-21 11:45 AM (#468202 - in reply to #468187) Subject: Re: 61 Rear Axle change
Location: Montana
Yes I have considered that but around here almost all of the c bodies have been snagged by the derby guys and if you find one at a junk yard it's been liberated of the rear end already.
Posted 2015-01-21 1:51 PM (#468212 - in reply to #468187) Subject: RE: 61 Rear Axle change
Expert
Posts: 3779
Location: NorCal
Replacing the housing ends requires a dedicated jig to keep things in line. Here's a pic of the home-made one I use but they are available from many sources. The majority of the housing ends available require the use of Green axle bearings as do most of the disc brake kits.
Posted 2015-01-21 3:24 PM (#468227 - in reply to #468187) Subject: RE: 61 Rear Axle change
Expert
Posts: 3575
Location: Netherlands
D11 - 2015-01-21 2:54 AM
... I want to go to 33 spline axles and ...
Why this amount of splines?
Normal Chrysler-axles have 30 splines in the 8-3/4".
Why not just get a complete rear end from a newer car with 4.5" boltcircle like a Jeep or Ford orsomething and install that?
Posted 2015-01-21 6:21 PM (#468237 - in reply to #468187) Subject: Re: 61 Rear Axle change
Location: Montana
The reason that I'm going to 33 splines and detroit locker is because of the large amount of Torque that it will be seeing. When it all said and done it will be getting 500-600ft/lbs put through it. If I go through with the new ends, I've found a company called Leadmine that makes all the round pucks to keep things straight all I have to get is the shaft that goes through the middle.
I looked at a Moser housing today and about swallowed my tongue when I saw the price tag.
Posted 2015-01-22 7:54 AM (#468285 - in reply to #468187) Subject: Re: 61 Rear Axle change
Location: Montana
True, if I only had pizza cutters on the back it would never hook and it would be a non issue, however I have 10" of meat on the ground and if I ever put slicks on it we could have some issues.
Posted 2015-01-24 10:50 AM (#468474 - in reply to #468187) Subject: Re: 61 Rear Axle change
Elite Veteran
Posts: 888
Location: Peoples Republic of Oregon
I think that you underestimate the capacity of a stock 8¾......500lb-ft is really not that much unless you are side-stepping the clutch at 5000rpm...even then a u-joint will be the weak link.
Double check the overall width of what you have an see what else is close (some width info on my website).
Posted 2015-01-30 9:34 PM (#469041 - in reply to #468488) Subject: Re: 61 Rear Axle change
Location: Montana
Well I did enough digging and made enough phone calls that I ended up snagging a rear housing from a 67 Fury wagon from one buddy and a 489 center section from another friend. I should be in business with alot less work. I'll save the old rear end for somthing that needs narrowing. Thanks for the help guys