rich006
Learning as I go
I'm about to do my first rear end swap and I'm looking for general advice about how to do it--what order to do things, how to hold up the new rear during the process, etc etc. I found a really helpful thread here, but I want all the tips I can get. I'll be replacing the leaf springs at the same time. I have access to a military hobby shop with a lift and a pro mechanic on duty, so I'm thinking I'll use that instead of my garage.
More background: In preparation for a front disk swap on my '74 Swinger, I decided to change to LBP, and it seemed the easiest way was to swap in a 8 1/4 rear end (it's a 2.71 sure-grip). I got ambitious and decided to replace the springs too, with 5-leafs from ESPO. Here's what I have:
- the rear end, backing plate to backing plate, cleaned and painted
- shock plates and U-bolts from the donor car, also cleaned and painted
- all new brake parts (except I'm reusing the existing parking brake cables)
- new 5-leaf springs (ESPO) and rear shackle bushings
- the drive shaft from the donor car, which is shorter than my existing one by the same length that the 8 1/4 is longer than the 7 1/4 (donor car was a 74 Valiant 4-door, but I don't know what engine and trans were in it because the front of the car was cut off already)
- new U-joints, already pressed into the driveshaft
- new shocks
- LBP wheels (new tires to be mounted soon) and lug nuts
I think I have all the parts; I just need to get started. Here are some pictures:
some of the "new" wheels (sand blasted and sprayed with Duplicolor silver wheel coating, followed by Duplicolor clear matte):
More background: In preparation for a front disk swap on my '74 Swinger, I decided to change to LBP, and it seemed the easiest way was to swap in a 8 1/4 rear end (it's a 2.71 sure-grip). I got ambitious and decided to replace the springs too, with 5-leafs from ESPO. Here's what I have:
- the rear end, backing plate to backing plate, cleaned and painted
- shock plates and U-bolts from the donor car, also cleaned and painted
- all new brake parts (except I'm reusing the existing parking brake cables)
- new 5-leaf springs (ESPO) and rear shackle bushings
- the drive shaft from the donor car, which is shorter than my existing one by the same length that the 8 1/4 is longer than the 7 1/4 (donor car was a 74 Valiant 4-door, but I don't know what engine and trans were in it because the front of the car was cut off already)
- new U-joints, already pressed into the driveshaft
- new shocks
- LBP wheels (new tires to be mounted soon) and lug nuts
I think I have all the parts; I just need to get started. Here are some pictures:
some of the "new" wheels (sand blasted and sprayed with Duplicolor silver wheel coating, followed by Duplicolor clear matte):