TheAMCForum.com Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > The Garage > Transmission & Drivetrain
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - rear end swap 56-66 Classic
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Click for TheAMCForum Rules / Click for PDF version of Forum Rules
Your donations help keep this valuable resource free and growing. Thank you.

rear end swap 56-66 Classic

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 171819
Author
Message
 Rating: Topic Rating: 1 Votes, Average 5.00  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Wrambler View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar

Joined: Jul/02/2007
Location: West Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 4197
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wrambler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/16/2023 at 9:09am
I would use a Granada axle mounted with NASCAR 62 Chevy truck arms.
     Might be hard to find the truck arms there.

If you're going to change something. Get away from the two piece axles.
Wrambler
69 AMC Rambler
4.0L, 5 speed
2015 Grand Cherokee Limited
2019 Chrysler 300
Back to Top
farna View Drop Down
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Avatar
Moderator Lost Dealership Project

Joined: Jul/08/2007
Location: South Carolina
Status: Offline
Points: 19608
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote farna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/16/2023 at 9:24am
Open driveshaft, not a torque tube. And the American axle is only around 55" wide, not 58" like the big cars. Only the 56-66 big cars used Torque Tubes (and the big Nash and Hudson cars), and all AMc torque tubes used coil springs. All Americans and smaller cars (Javelin, AMX, Hornet, etc.) used open driveshafts and leaf springs.

The diff is near centered on both, so the axle shaft from the American won't be long enough. On the plus side as long as the big car was a six cylinder the hub from the American axle will fit. Of course it's not a good idea to place a used hub from one axle shaft onto another as it probably won't have enough surface area to grip due to the 'splines" not lining up. Remember, a virgin hub has no splines and is slightly softer metal than the axle shaft, which has shallow spine rolled into it before hardening. Those splines are transferred to the virgin hub when it's installed. The splines simply increase the total surface are of part engagement, they don't really add strength. The strength is in the increased contact area when torqued down properly. If there is a key (pre 57 axles don't have a key, only 58 and later) it's just there so that the hub will be aligned the same if ever removed. A hardened key adds a little strength, but not much. That said, since yours has spun, you could have another key or two cut in the axle and hub. In the early days AMC drag racers did that, before there was a one piece axle available and some classes may have had to use factory components. But that would probably be costly since the axle shaft is hardened. Might ask a machine shop about that. Another solution that might no cost as much is ti have the end of the axle and hub drilled after assembly (and torqued down) for a hardened taper pin. If the end of your axle isn't totally trashed you might just try the used hub from the American axle though. At this point there isn't much to lose.

Have I pointed you to page 16 of this thread? Alternatives to the torque tube, but need a live axle (like a Rover rear drive axle?). 

This is a "wishbone" suspension in that it has a single pivot point in front. Instead of a heim joint a rubber strut rod bushing (straight threaded rod on the end) could be used since there is little movement. That would also take a lot of vibration and road noise out, something Tom wasn't concerned about in open car that already has a lot of wind and road noise. The front of the "legs" could also be separated, turning it into a "truck arm" suspension. Again, strut rod bushings at the front (or rubber control arm bushings) would quiet things down.
Frank Swygert
Back to Top
farna View Drop Down
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Supporter of TheAMCForum
Avatar
Moderator Lost Dealership Project

Joined: Jul/08/2007
Location: South Carolina
Status: Offline
Points: 19608
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote farna Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/16/2023 at 9:48am
Mark has a good suggestion! Rover or Granada live axle would work. Maybe 79-82 Taunus/Cortina V6? Aren't they live axle? Rear track is 56", but with 1" spacers on each end it would work.
Frank Swygert
Back to Top
Wrambler View Drop Down
AMC Addicted
AMC Addicted
Avatar

Joined: Jul/02/2007
Location: West Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 4197
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Wrambler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/16/2023 at 12:46pm
Granada is about 57 1/4" and big tube clear to brake drum. 10x 1 1/2 brakes. Driveshaft is Centered!   It just had too many things going for it for me to pass up for $200. Even the leaf pads are only 1/4' off

I have a 8.8 I'll be selling. 3L73 from 92 Ranger.
Wrambler
69 AMC Rambler
4.0L, 5 speed
2015 Grand Cherokee Limited
2019 Chrysler 300
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 171819
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.03
Copyright ©2001-2019 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.141 seconds.
All content of this site Copyright © 2018 TheAMCForum unless otherwise noted, all rights reserved.
PROBLEMS LOGGING IN or REGISTERING:
If you have problems logging in or registering, then please contact a Moderator or