Hey guys I have a 57 chev 2dr.210 w/ a 454 H.O. engine and a beefy 400 turbo.I'm not sure if a 9" out of a truck would work ( too wide ?) I know a few guys have done this and I'm looking for ideas.Right now I have nothing in the rear of the car,no leafs,nothing but a big empty area. Thanx any help.
I used 59 Ford wagon (9-inch w/big bearing) rears in my last two tri-fives. Width is perfect and if memory serves the spring perches only need to be slightly relocated.
Good luck finding one without rear discs and if you do decide to go this route, youre gonna have to change the master cylinder.
Got a 59 Ford 9 inch in mine...also moved the springs in straddling the frame and had the original tubs moved in flush with the frame. I have 50 series tires on it inside the fenders with 2 inches of clearance on both sides.Added a shock bar in between the frame rails while I was at it!
I don't know for sure what years to look for as far as 12 bolts but i have seen 57 chevys with them. If posi is impotant, be sure to get one with posi because there were open rear 12 bolts out there too.
I had a "57" Olds rear in my "55" 210 post (old school) and a 70 Nova 12 Bolt (from a wrecked 396ci car) in my "56" Bel Air. The Nova rear was a little narrower than the stock 56 rear and by moving my springs inboard and widening my inner fender wells, I was able to fit N50s (remember those) under it. With the off set on the wheels to the inside, you didnt notice how wide the tires were until you seen it from behind.
Ford Explorer 8.8" rear - available in both disks and drums, strong, and easy to find. Most have good gears and Trak Lok's are common. They are leaf spring rears that are about 59 inches wide and 94 and newer ones will have 31 spline axles. The only down side is the 5 x 4.5" ford/mopar bolt pattern.
tri five chevy site has a tire calculator , gives different rear end specs ,sizes and wheel offsets tri5.chevytides.com/reartire.php
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