Re: replacement 12 bolt rear
 

Yes. Some have'm; some don't. Same deal. The rich get richer and the poor still have to struggle.

Re: replacement 12 bolt rear
 

Seeing as how one of the services I provide at the shop is rear ends, I looked at the prices for building them, and I also looked around to see how hard it is to find cores. Considering that around here a USED, 35-40 year old 12 bolt housing, with no guarantee that it is suitable to build a good rearend from, is about $400 to $600, and you'll spend another $500 or so
prepping the housing with caps, studs, and other parts/labor, at a minimum, the aftermarket unit is cheaper.

Re: replacement 12 bolt rear
 

Alan - I agree with you 100%. If you are wanting to build a top quality rear end, and I think it is a good investment, the aftermarket pieces are definitely the way to go. Looking at the stocker population, the majority of the cars are serviced by aftermarket housings - 12 bolt GM, 9" Ford, Chrysler 8 3/4 & Dana 60. Maybe there should be an accepted "definition" that says any GM product can use a 12-bolt, any Ford product can use a 9" and any Chrysler (and I guess AMC) can use an 8 3/4 or Dana 60. It's almost like that now; in fact, most would argue that it is. It would just simplify matters to make it a ruling and put it in writing.

Re: replacement 12 bolt rear
 

Suppose you already have a couple stock GM 12-bolts, but you don't have piles of cash lying around. What would you do? Beef up the better of the two stockers, or sell one (or both) and get an aftermarket unit?

Re: replacement 12 bolt rear
 

Beef it up. Nothing wrong with the old stuff if done well. Just if you are starting from scratch with nothing (no housing) the new stuff is a good consideration. I know top A, B, and C stick cars running old housings and have for 20+ years.

Re: replacement 12 bolt rear
 

Tom's Differentials sells a carrier cap kit for about $70, it upgrades the driver side cap, and comes with 1/2" cap screws for the driver side, 7/16" upgrade cap screws for the passenger side.

On a side note, when the new housings were introduced, Tom refused to sell them because in his opinion, the cases were not within usable tolerances for his standards. That was the last word I had from him on the subject 3-4 years ago.

I have 2700+ passes on my old A-Body 12-bolt with the Tom's cap kit, no troubles, and have a car out there that is 3200# + driver running 8.60's with the old M/W cap kit, he kills a Pro gear about every 300+ passes, but no housing troubles.

Re: replacement 12 bolt rear
 

The MW unit is the best out there. All my cars have them, and the big Ford ends, etc. MW is one scenario where you get what you pay for.

Re: replacement 12 bolt rear
 

Ditto to what Robert said. If you do use the stock GM housing, use the billet caps. Some type of rear end brace is a good idea, also.

Re: replacement 12 bolt rear
 

Alan Is it possible to run the "Gun Drilled" 35 spline MW axles in the "factory GM 12-bolt housing?
I've already replaced the tubes w/ DOM tubes, and added MW caps?
Is it safe to run the smaller bearings?
The Moser housings for the A & G bodies do not incorporate the "bumper tab" for Weibe Suspensions?
Greg

Re: replacement 12 bolt rear
 

Yes, you can. You will have to use MW housing ends for large axle bearings. Call MW and tell them what you are doing.