If you don't already know i am shortening a 9" rear out of a 68 pickup. I welded it together today and mounted the spring perches. I used a jig so it should be lined up correctly. I got the length right and the pinion angle set to 5 degrees. When i was all done, i ground the welds smooth and admired my work. I then pulled up a picture of the old housing i had on my computer and my heart sank.

I welded the housing ends 90 degrees from where they should be! Instead of the wider end being horizontal, they point vertical. I have no problem cutting off the welds on the tubes and re welding it but i hate the idea of cutting off my new spring perches.

I will be using explorer rear disc brakes, will it cause a problem if i don't move the housing ends? From pictures i have of the brakes i am getting, it appears the caliper will mount at the top of the rotor instead of the side, will this cause a problem.

Do i need to re do everything?

 

If the calipers aren't in the correct position, you probably wont have the bleeder valve at the correct angle, and thus won't be able to bleed the brakes...

I did something similar, and installed my caliper brackets upside down. It was bolt-ons though, so an easy fix...

 

very good point

 

Unless your caliper brackets are weld-on, and can be welded on at whatever position. It doesn't matter what area of the rotors its located at (3oclock, 9oclock, etc), as long as the bleeder valve is the highest point...

Mmmm, 6oclock probably wouldn't be the best if you had a busted seal...

 

looks like you got some more grinding to do...

 

Can't you just cut the ends off just behind the bearing and reposition. That is how you change a small bearing to a large bearing rear end.

 

where is the rear end guy? What was his name.......

 

Valley Firearms, I had thought of doing that but i don't like the idea of having my welds between the spring perch and the wheel bearing. This is the location where the greatest force would be.

I think tomorrow i will just re-do it all. If its worth doing, its worth doing right. I am sure i wont regret it, i will just have to take extra time when removing the spring perches.

 

who DAZE?

 

YES! Daze....he used to be here a lot talking about modding rear ends, etc.