tapered axle

[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

[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?

[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.

[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. Craig

[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

[dodgeboykim]

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.

[flyngreenmole]

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!

[flyngreenmole]

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.......

[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?

[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.

[flyngreenmole]

mine is 64 with tapered. so i guess 65 and on. thanks for the help! gonna head over to parts wanted!

[dodgeboykim]

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.

[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.