Is a Buick 8.5" rear from a Grand National/Turbo Buick the same width or wider than our 7.5" rears?

 

I've never seen one but imagine the big deal is all the mounting brackets are diff.

 

Mounting brackets is not big deal as long as it's the right width. Does anybody know if it's the right width?

 

They are not the same width. I dont know the exact specs but its slightly shorter then an F-bod rear. It can still be put in, assuming you put all the right brackets and spring perches on it. All you would need is new wheels with a different back spacing to compensate for the narrower rear.

 

As long as its less than 2" it will work.

Does anyone have the exact width?

 

I'll ask the guy at work tomorrow and post back. I just cant remember the exact width but know it was close. I had thought of building an 8.5 for my car at the time so I was investigating the width of numerous rears.... the numbers are all jumbled in my head now.

 

just thinking out loud here could you just cut the axle tubes off the 7.5 like they do on the 8.8's and weld them to your 8.5 then reuse your axles? That way the length is the same and you have all your brackets

 

Yes you could do that but if you keep your axles would you have to change the center section or could you make the center work?

If its close to the same width then u wouldn't have to bother cutting off the tubes and aligning everything. You could just weld on your brackets which is easier.

 

any progress on this?