Rearend/Axle question - 1st post

CanyonRider · Post by **CanyonRider** » May 11, 2009, 7:57 pm

Hey ya'll. This is my first post, so be gentle.

I have 61 & 63 Unibodys and am restoring the 61. Here is the chassis right after seperating the body.

I literally dragged the truck from behind an old tabacco barn. Anyway, I now have the frame stripped, cleaned and painted. I have new rear leaves under it. I re-built the rearend with new ring and pinion and a new Detroit True-Trac. My problem is when I slide the old axles in, they stop about an 1/8th inch outside the flange. See the pic - they don't go in all the way.

Now I think I read somewhere (maybe on this fine forum - I've been lurking a while) that the '68 & up axles are the same length, but the bearing doesn't press on as far and the axle doesn't slide into the diff as far as the early axles. Could this be my problem here? Do I need new axles for the True-Trac?

Thanks for your thoughts!

deviant1 · Post by **deviant1** » May 11, 2009, 8:21 pm

Welcome to the site!
It is good that you are posting pics right from the start...we love pics.

Where is the backing plate for the brakes?

CanyonRider · Post by **CanyonRider** » May 11, 2009, 9:09 pm

deviant1 wrote: Where is the backing plate for the brakes?

Yeah, I thought that too, but shouldn't the bearing slide all the way in for full support? I don't remember when I took it apart but I'm pretty sure the bearing was completely inside the housing. Besides - I'm not putting backing plates back on, I'm installing rear disc brakes.

Thanks for the help and warm welcome.

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » May 11, 2009, 11:32 pm

The bearing indexes the brake backing plate so it does not enter the housing completely. The later axles are slightly longer, not the same length with bearing in a different spot. When you convert to disc brakes you usually have to fabricate or buy a spacer. I made my spacer from my old backing plate! Hawkrod

CanyonRider · Post by **CanyonRider** » May 12, 2009, 1:31 pm

Thanks Hawkrod. That makes sense. I haven't ordered my rear disc kit yet - I'll ask about the spacer.

Great forum with quick knowledgable response! I'm sure I'll have more questions as I install the Dakota IFS.

dotcentral · Post by **dotcentral** » May 12, 2009, 3:11 pm

Welcome to the site, nice to have another NC guy on board.

Looking forward to watching your build-up.

Sent you a PM also.

PFM-64f100 · Post by **PFM-64f100** » May 12, 2009, 3:31 pm

CanyonRider wrote:Thanks Hawkrod. That makes sense. I haven't ordered my rear disc kit yet - I'll ask about the spacer.

Great forum with quick knowledgable response! I'm sure I'll have more questions as I install the Dakota IFS.

what kit are you using for the Rear disc? and what wheel pattern?

CanyonRider · Post by **CanyonRider** » May 12, 2009, 8:11 pm

PFM-64f100 wrote:
what kit are you using for the Rear disc? and what wheel pattern?

I'm looking at these two (plus another from Speedway Motors in NE) :

http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestor ... px?id=1876
http://www.performanceonline.com/store/ ... 384&page=1

I prefer to keep the 5x5.5. I think Currie can do this - I need to make some calls and ask some questions before I order.

Any suggestions?