The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Third gen camaro rearend

I'd like to hear some feedback from anybody who has used a 82-92 Camaro rearend in their AD pickup. I haven't seen this rearend used much and I don't understand why. I looked at one today out of a 91 camaro. 3.08 open, 62" wide(same as AD pickup) 5"x43/4" bolt pattern, 21/2" axle tubes, bolt on sway bar, new brake shoes, ready to load up for $30. They're cheap and you can find them anywhere so why aren't they being used more.

I don't know, but I wouldn't try it unless I could find out if it will reduce my truck to a 1/16 ton truck or do I keep the full loading capacity? The truck is heavier to begin with and adding some weight in the box might just be the right setup for some trouble.

That axel might work for you just fine. I'm not sure about the width though.

The problem you might run into is the difference in backspacing between the original rims and modern rims. The original rims had the mounting surface in the middle of the 6" rim, so they had 3 inches of backspacing. Most of the modern rims I looked that are 6" wide have the mounting surface towards the outside of the rim and had 4" of backspacing. So, your new tires will be 1" closer to the frame, which might work or not.

If you want to use wider tires you have to use wider rims, which will also mean a wider axel or custom rims. Standard steel 7" GM rims I think have 5" of backspacing.

I tried a 62" axel in my '51 truck with 6" rims and found it was too narrow so I went with a 65" and 7" rims that is just right.

A 2 1/2" axel tube is kinda narrow, most axels are 3". What Truck '26 says might be on the money, even if the width and torque specs work, the weight capacity might not be what you need. Maybe you can get some info from GM or another source about the capacity of those rear diffs. If they were run of the mill corporate 10 bolts, they're probably okay.

Well, Forty-Nine, if one is going to all that trouble, who needs a 3.08 in a truck? Who needs a non-posi rear axle? Who needs a unit with a 7.5 inch ring gear? The original stock rear end would serve one better. If an upgrade is wanted, there are 12-bolt Chevys and 9-inch Fords out there, all of which have 9-inch or 8.78 inch ring gears, which represent toughness and carrying capacity. Evem Chevy 10-bolts and Ford 8.8's would serve better than a 7.5 incher. 10-bolt stuff is also cheap. I could get a posi for one for 1/2 the cost of a 12-bolt.

I agree with Apache Kid- a 10 bolt posi from under a cop car retired taxi large sedan, van or station wagon, with a more common sized ring gear/carrier would be the best.

Finding a posi is definately worth it. With a little effort you'd be surprised how many there are lying around in junkyards.

The Ring n' Pinion gear size makes a difference when it comes time to service the differential bearings and when you want to change the ring and pinion to get a better ratio. There are some 10 bolts that have less common sized ring and pinions and aren't very expensive to service and upgrade.

Hey Fortynine5,

I just finished up putting one in my truck. It was out of an 88 IROC-Z...3.08 with posi/discs.
62" wide...backspacing of 4" on 8" rear rims w/255/70/15's. Swaybar bolts right up to existing holes in frame. No tire clearance problems whatsoever. You can see my application in my album.

The major limiting factor is the lack of R&P ratios....in this 9 bolt Australian-built Borg Warner. The 3.42 is the only other option.

I also looked at some drum diffs from second and third generation and they would have made a nice conversion. I went with the 9 bolt because of low mileage, posi and discs. Of course, 10 and 12 bolts are more popular....but I couldn't ever figure why a guy would go to all the trouble of changing out a 50 year old diff for a high mileage 30 year old diff. If you check out the Camaro diffs you will find that they are commonly used with 350-400 hp apps.

Hope this helps you with your selection.

Thanks for the replies. I think that I have the same question as Fla54Chevy3100. Why trade a 50 year old worn out rearend for a 30 year old worn out rearend? To answer Apache Kid, I think that the 3.08 whould be just what I need to drive back and forth to work. The original has 4.10 and I can't even think about taking it out on the street. What's the big deal about a posi? Are you guys going to the track or off-road? I have vehicles that have posi and some that don't and just driving down the street I can't tell the difference. Who wants a 7.5 ring gear? Who cares? If it does what I want, drives straight down the road, and doesn't make noise, I don't care if it has a 7.5 ring gear or a 8.5 ring gear. The 88 Camaro rear that Fla54Chevy3100 put under his 54 looks outstanding. Nicely done!