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tapered axle

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:07 pm
by flyngreenmole
hey everybody
its been a while since ive been on here asking dumb questions so here goes! i have an 8 3/4 rear end with tapered axles. im planning on narrowing the rear end once i get my wheels and tires (waiting game). i want to convert to disk brakes while on this project. do i need a different rear end assembly to make this work? or does the early tapered axle have no options for disk brakes? thanks, brian

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2023 8:53 pm
by flyngreenmole
im thinkin a better question may be,... does anybody know if the axle shaft is one consistent diameter? i have not got it apart yet. getting the drum off if kickin my @#%! been laying in the weather for countless years. im assuming to cut and respline the axle shaft it needs to be a straight shaft?

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2023 10:02 pm
by PwrWgnDrvr
Send that tapered garbage to the scrap yard and find a later axle to swap in. The best way to get it apart is with a cutting torch! There's a reason the factory stopped that design when they did.

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2023 10:06 pm
by my5thmopar
I wouldn't mess with a tapered axle. I've rebuilt one but, wouldn't do it again. I think you would be happier with a later housing and axles. I would think you could find a complete differential. :2cents Craig

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2023 10:36 pm
by nutz
there is a tool to remove the hubs
but if your planing on narrowing it then your going to need axles anyway
and you might be able to find a nice flange for a caliper mount
the real question is parking brake
if its old enough for taper shaft are you keeping the trans parking brake

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:50 pm
by dodgeboykim
flyngreenmole wrote:
Sat Jan 14, 2023 6:07 pm
hey everybody
its been a while since ive been on here asking dumb questions so here goes! i have an 8 3/4 rear end with tapered axles. im planning on narrowing the rear end once i get my wheels and tires (waiting game). i want to convert to disk brakes while on this project. do i need a different rear end assembly to make this work? or does the early tapered axle have no options for disk brakes? thanks, brian

Do yourself a favor and get rid of that RA and upgrade to a later Non Tapered RA.

And Disc Brake kits for the Non Tapered car 8 3/4 fit the truck Non Tapered 8 3/4.

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:50 pm
by flyngreenmole
:lol: :lol: ok im hearing a unanimous vote for scrapping the tapered rearend. so that leads me to the next question.... what am i looking for? 8 3/4 from a bit later truck? i think 64 or 5 was last year of the taper? how do i identify non tapered axle while still in the truck? thanks for all the feedback guys!

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:56 pm
by flyngreenmole
nutz wrote:
Sat Jan 14, 2023 10:36 pm
there is a tool to remove the hubs
but if your planing on narrowing it then your going to need axles anyway
and you might be able to find a nice flange for a caliper mount
the real question is parking brake
if its old enough for taper shaft are you keeping the trans parking brake
im swapping the column shift 3 speed for a a833 4 speed so ill be eliminating the stock park brake assembly. although i have not figured out the details.......

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 3:50 pm
by flyngreenmole
heres another question.... im finding later axle housings without 3rd member. will my 3rd member from 64 rear end fit in 70 rear end?

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 4:02 pm
by PwrWgnDrvr
Early won't fit late. Tapered has a big nut on the end of the axle. Should be lots of axles around in your area. Look for trucks 64 or 65 and later.

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2023 4:18 pm
by flyngreenmole
mine is 64 with tapered. so i guess 65 and on. thanks for the help! gonna head over to parts wanted!

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2023 12:48 pm
by dodgeboykim
flyngreenmole wrote:
Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:50 pm
:lol: :lol: ok im hearing a unanimous vote for scrapping the tapered rearend. so that leads me to the next question.... what am i looking for? 8 3/4 from a bit later truck? i think 64 or 5 was last year of the taper? how do i identify non tapered axle while still in the truck? thanks for all the feedback guys!
Look at end of axle. No nut. Good to go. Nut, Walk away. :salut :salut :salut

Re: tapered axle

Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2023 9:07 pm
by 58pwrwgn
You shouldn't have to replace the housing. Just the axles shafts. However, if there is a car axle about your desired width it would be easier to use it. Not sure how far you could shorten an axle before you run out of splines.