[S10 Racer]

As many of you know because I've asked a ton of questions here, I have an "89" S10 with a BBC 461, TH400 and a narrowed 9" Ford rearend. When I first built the truck, I opted to keep my driveline centered which offset the rearend housing to the driver side. I used leaf springs on this installation but now am getting ready to change it to a 4 link. Just so I don't have to cut these (special) mounts off and take a chance of destroying the axle tubes, I found another 9" Ford rearend to use. Now my question is, since I have to narrow the new rearend, would you recommend centering the rearend housing or keep the driveline straight? I noticed on the one that's in it now that a 4 link bracket would be hard to fit in the correct spot on the driver side because of the offset (see picture). Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Rickracer]

I would DEFINITELY center the pinion, not the housing,

[S10 Racer]

Originally Posted by Rickracer

I would DEFINITELY center the pinion, not the housing,

Yeah, that's what I have now and it makes it difficult for brackets but I can fiqure something out.
Thanks

[Mike H]

Center it. Get your brackets on center and squair them up to one another ( 3/4" all thread and spacers made the length of your heim joints work the best)then tack them to your welding table as an assembly then fit the housing to them. This is the best way I have found to do them as long as you have a good flat and level welding table to work off.

Mike

[big gear head]

Are you sure that the pinion is suppose to be centered? Most GM cars and trucks have the pinion offset 1/2 inch from center. This puts the pinion 1 inch closer to the right side than the left. Measure your original rear end and I think you will find that it is not centered. When I narrow rear ends for GM cars and trucks with the original engine and transmission mounts I offset the pinion 1/2 inch to the right to keep it in the orignal location.

[Rickracer]

1/2" offset will keep the u-joint bearings rolling a bit, not a bad thing, yet not enough angle to cause problems with power transmission. Ford goes WAAY overboard with it. I try to keep the horizontal angle to less than 1.5°, the longer the shaft, the easier it is to stay within that angle.

[NEW INTERIORS]

I would center the pinion.. The brackets can easily be made to fit.. Might look a little funny.. but it can be done..

[bentwings]

I wouldn't say exactly easy but it can be done. The Plasma or torch will get a work out unless you have a big band saw. I think I did mine 3 times before I got it right. Don't forget that with a very narrow rear end the shocks and springs are going to be very close together so your rear roll stiffnes is not real high. Torque will try to unload the right rear. A locker or spool will cover it up but not fix it.

[68NovaSS]

X2 with cewnter the pinion. You're going coilovers with a 4-link, right?