Narrowing a Rear end.

[Purple Haze]

Well I guess I will let you see what I have been up to the last week. As some of you may know I have just gotten started on working on my 70 Duster after a long and I do mean long layoff. I have been narrowing the rear end, it's a 9" not an 8 3/4 but the procedure is the same.
Here is a shot after cutting down and tacking the 4 link brackets in place.

Getting ready to finish weld the 4 link brackets.

Note the jig in place.

Here the outside all welded up.

A little taste.

As you can see there is still shiat to get rid of.

Now to tack the link strapping in place.

An other peek.

Left side 4 link bracket all finished.

Now to tack the left side back brace.

Now to finish weld back brace and add left side lower coil over mount.

Setting up for the right side tomorrow.

Right side 4 link finished welded and strapped tacked.

Right side link bracket finished welded and back brace tacked.

Right side all finished up.

Time to weld up the housing ends.

Right side

Left side

And there you have it, Narrowed 9".

Guess you noticed I did keep one thing Mopar, That's because of the rear Discs I have.

Hope you enjoyed.

 

[wish4hemi]

Where did you get the aluminum bearing pucks and the rod?

 

[Purple Haze]

Alston Chassis Works.

 

[BrianT]

Haze, looks nice. One question. Why a nine inch? I am going through the decision making process right now. My 8 3/4 is gone/sold. I want to have a Dana built.

Here is a rear end jig. Not cheap, but highly recommended.

chasis works jig

 

[pettybludart]

That,s some nice work Haze!What engine/tranny combo do you plan on using?
I just had a 8 3/4 narrowed for $175 and bought custom made axels from Strange,it,s in my 66 Dart with a 408/904

 

[Purple Haze]

Haze, looks nice. One question. Why a nine inch? I am going through the decision making process right now. My 8 3/4 is gone/sold. I want to have a Dana built.

Here is a rear end jig. Not cheap, but highly recommended.

chasis works jig

Would have went with a Dana but there is only 15" between the inside of the link brackets, don't think I could have gotten that with the Dana. Plus there is lot's of goodies in the aftermarket for the 9".

YEP, that's the jig.

 

[Purple Haze]

That,s some nice work Haze!What engine/tranny combo do you plan on using?
I just had a 8 3/4 narrowed for $175 and bought custom made axels from Strange,it,s in my 66 Dart with a 408/904

Engine is a Lambeck prepped 450 BB trans is an ATI 727 with reverse valve body and 8" converter.

 

[oldmoparsrule]

Awesome work! Having just paid someone to narrow my housing, the price of that jig is $200 more than what I paid to narrow the housing. If you end up narrowing a housing twice...you are money ahead to buy the jig. Third time is all gravy 8)

Again, impressive work.

Thanks,
OldMoparsRule!

 

[pettybludart]

I also have an 8 inch converter,mines a Coan 4500 stall.

 

[391mike]

Where did you get the aluminum bearing pucks and the rod?

i have a 360 block you was asking about 8)

 

[Badart]

Wow! Looks great. I did the same thing a few months ago.

 

[mopardude318]

terrific work! both of ya!

 

[crackedback]

I've got about $130 in my jig kit. Pucks for Dana 60, 8.75 & mopar ends. The bar is a turned ground polished 1.25" Dia piece about 48" long.

Pucks from the machine shop cost about $80 and the bar was in the $40-50 range.

The Chassisworks stuff is a nice piece to work with as well.

What did you use to cut the housing?

 

[Purple Haze]

Chop saw.