Cascade Crew

turbo_jimi · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 10:03 pm Post subject: Rear End Swap

From an 84 L69 Auto w/ 3.73s

to an 85 LG4 5-speed w/ 3.23s

Is this possible???
And if so, how difficult would it be? Thanks.
TJ

ET phone hoME · Member Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 237 Location: Oregon

dont go lg4, get something fuel injected, it will be harder to do and maybe a bit more expensive for the electronics but your gas mileage will be tons better.

turbo_jimi · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 11:05 pm Post subject:

actually, just want to know if the rear end swap is possible from a car with an auto to a car with a manny...sorry for any confusion.

TJ

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:13 am Post subject:

should be an easy swap. You will reuse your current torque arm, just connect up the suspension, and brake line(s), and you will be good to go.

turbo_jimi · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 5:08 am Post subject:

Do you perhaps have an link that gives step by step instructions on how to do this? I know thirdgen.org in a good resource but there is a lot of looking involved. Thanks!

TJ

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 5:44 am Post subject:

its really pretty straight forward, disconnect the driveshaft (if you can, pull the springs out now.), disconnect the torque arm, and control arms, disconnect the brake line. now the only thing holding the rear in, is the shocks, disconnect those, and the rear end is out. Re-assemble in reverse order. Also, make sure you bleed the brakes when your done.

turbo_jimi · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 7:30 am Post subject:

Thanks!

iansane · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 8:57 am Post subject:

You plan on doing this soon? I've swapped rears a couple times in my turds. Smile

Heck, bring some brews you could come do it at my house. Is the donor rear from johns old Z?

turbo_jimi · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:39 am Post subject:

yes it is... and it's immobile right now...best to do it at my place if possible...i'll supply the brewskies!

TJ

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2320

Jack up back of car and put stands under the subframe up by the front lower control arm bushing. You'll see a good spot there.

Let rear end hang.

Remove tires

Unhook torque arm and driveline

put floor jack under rear end and jack up a little.

Unhook brake lines at the little T and take out the bolt that holds on the T

Unhook sway bar end links and leave the bar on the rear or take it off

Unhook panhard bar and tie up with a piece of wire

Unhook shocks from the rear end

Let the rear down easy until the springs are free and remove them

Now should just be the control arm bolts left to come out

Let the rear end down some more and roll backwards on the jack

chevymad · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 5:05 pm Post subject:

Speaking of rears, Rod do you have your's back together yet?? You make it sound so easy you shouldve slipped my spare in your car and made the cruise! Wink

rjmcgee · The Hammer Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 2320

Yeah I finally got smart and made a deal that slips into my floor jack and supports the rear end and has a screw adjuster to tit the pinion up. Took 20 minutes to go from on the floor to hanging in the car last time. Still had to tighten all the bolts and hook up brake lines and crap. This would have been my 6th time puling and replacing the rear end in this car.

That open carrier worked perfectly. Didn't have to change any shims or anything, just took the spacer off and bolted the ring gear up. Backlash was good. Kinda takes alot of the fun away with out posi.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 1:11 pm Post subject:

Make sure both brake setups are the same. IE if your old read has drum brakes, your new one has them as well...

If you interchange you need otherthings.

turbo_jimi · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 1:57 pm Post subject:

It does, thanks!