Re: 8.5 rear end for 1980 G body GM
 

And don't be fooled by the left hand threads on the ring gear. By the time I realized the deal there, I had them suckers so tight they were almost impossible to get loose.

Oh well. As they say "live & learn".

Re: 8.5 rear end for 1980 G body GM
 

I don't know about you guys but around here 8.5 10 bolts for G body are like hens teeth. I found a mint one in a scrap pile but that was sheer luck. And the fact that it came out of a friends turbo regal to install a 9 inch ford was even better for me. Probably cheaper and way easier to just go with a Strange or Mosier 12 Bolt. Way better tooling, thicker case, thicker tubes. All around better piece. Probably wouldn't matter in a stocker but gear selection for a 12 bolt is better then a 10 Bolt as well.

Re: 8.5 rear end for 1980 G body GM
 

Seems to me that QA-1 offers adjustible upper trailing arms that have an offset for the purpose of installing an A body 12 bolt in a later G body car as a bolt-in.I bought stronger trailing arms for my '68 Chevelle wagon from them and got a catalog someplace. Their stuff is pretty nice, as well. While a 12 bolt is getting rather pricey, there is an excellent selection of gears and a small block car probably can't break it. Also I think someone makes an aftermarket bolt in 12 bolt housing now for the A body.

Re: 8.5 rear end for 1980 G body GM
 

12 bolt A body rear in a G body. 2 more Cos. that make the rear arms.
Probably easier in the long run, than finding a GN 10 bolt laying around.

http://www.maliburacing.com/iceman/

http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...&cPath=8_60_68

Re: 8.5 rear end for 1980 G body GM
 

How much wider is a 70s 12 bolt or 10 bolt A body rearend than the stock G body rearend? thanks for the info guys.

Re: 8.5 rear end for 1980 G body GM
 

I found a couple places that make the adapter upper control arms for the G body 12 bolt swap.Do the lower control arms bolt up ok?