Rear axle installation in/near Detroit???

[Fat Hack]

My 49 Needs a rear axle swap to ever be even CLOSE to driveable...but that's a job that's MILES outta my range of capability!

Anyone know of a competent person in the Detroit (Michigan) area able to do a rear axle swap on an old rustbucket? The person doing the swap would have the option of doing it where the car is, or at their home or shop. They'd need to remove the useless closed drive axle and install an S10 rear axle.

(Just get the axle on the springs straight, centered and secure, I can hook up brakes and a driveshaft when the time comes to do so!)

I'll pay a reasonable amount...any takers?

[Ayers Garage]

Hack, I'm pretty sure the S10 is going to be several inches too narrow for your car.

But anyway, go get some trailer axle saddles from Northern tools or Tractor Supply or wherever Michigan folks get trailer parts. Get some U-bolts there too.

You'll need to drill a hole in each saddle to offset the axle like these old Chevies used. The center locating pin on the leaf springs isn't in the middle of the saddle. It's like 3/4 inch offset front or rear.

Put it under there yourself, using a tape measure to get it even side to side.

Then, tighten the u-bolts down and the car can be pushed or towed to anyplace with a welder. Set the angle with a protractor and stitch it up.

This type of job is perfect for a 110 MIG welder. You can tote it over to someone's house that needs a little project like this welded up real easy.

[Ayers Garage]

My 54 has a 60 inch wide rear out of a Nova clone GM car.

I'm pretty sure the S-10 rear is like 6 inches narrower than the one I'm using. I'd sure think it would be way too narrow.

I only speak 54 though, your earlier car may be a different ball of road salt...er....wax.

[RileyRacing]

Find the measurements for a 2nd gen Camaro/Firebird. Those are as close to a bolt in as you can get. That'll give ya spring perch to spring perch and overall...

Jay

[SimonSez]

Check out this post from last week.

Looks like the second-gen Camaro is pretty much a bolt in.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=546197&

[Ayers Garage]

60 inches from wheel mounting face to face.

I bought my rear out of a Buick Apollo, which is the exact same car as a Nova. Around here, the junkyards attach too much value to anything from a Nova or Camaro, but other cars are worthless, hence the Apollo choice.

[oldtin]

Hack, there are atleast two different width s-10 axles, the 4x4 axles are wider than the 2wd. If you can get an axle located and bolted in I could probably drag my welder down and buzz it in for you.

Oldtin (http://oldtin.50megs.com)

[Kurt]

Mid 70's camaro/firebird work great. Just drill new hole for the pin forward about 11/2".
s-10 4x4 rear will also work. Just use the mopar perchs with the three holes and use the forward most hole to center the axle. set your pinion angle and weld away. Just did this same thing a couple days ago and worked great.