8.5 10bolt question
 

are all the 8.5 10 bolt rear ends the same? i found one for a 9c1 cop car but i kno he bolt pattern is 5x5,can i switch axels to 5x4.75? can they also be shortened to work in a 1978 chevy malibu? has anyone ever done this before?
trying to find a grandnational rear or cutlass 442 rear is almost impossible or way too much money for a stock rear end and than add axles good posi gears etc!! any help would be great thanks
moe

The stock 78-88 G-body Rear width is:
58" Drum to Drum.
52.125" Housing Flange to Flange.

If your 9c1 Rear uses 28-Spline axles, you could shorten the Housing's Axle Tubes and use Stock or Aftermarket Axles for a 84-87 GN/GrandNational / T-Type / 442/HO. These Axles have 5" X 4.75" pattern.

A member on MonterCarloSS.com said someone makes the conversion UCA/UppercontrolArms for B-body to G-body Rear swap.

I think the B-body Rear is 3" wider than G-body, you could also use Rims with more Offset/BackSpacing if you don't want to narrow the Housing.

MikesMontes.com has a few 8.5" G-body Rears for sale. Last time He quoted $650 for an Open Diff Rear.
Also check 'For Sale' sections at:
Mailburacing.com
Turbobuick.com
Montecarloss.com

http://www.maliburacing.com/tech_rearend_swaps.html
http://www.maliburacing.com/rearend_guide.html

I'm guessing you're aware of the 8.8 Ford diff swap that has been mentioned on several of the G-car forums. I don't know who exactly makes or sells the conversion parts needed- I'm not that far into this yet on my '80 Malibu wagon.

It's a crime GM didn't see fit to use the corporate 10-bolt in all of the G-cars, third gen F-cars and S-10's. :evil:

I wanted to do the 8.8 conversion,just have so many parts for a 8.5 just mo housing and it wouldn't make sense to so it. Thanks for the info anyway