Hello! I’m new to the forum. I have a 1968 A108 Sportsman custom, rebuilt the motor last winter, plan to hammer out the body work this winter. It’s a work in progress but I’m having fun. Anyway I’m looking for rear end info. Has anyone swapped an 8.75 rear end for an aftermarket “quick change” type design? I want to be able to drive a reasonable gear ratio down the road, but quickly swap in some deep ones for fun. I had a 721 casting with 3.91 gears in it, but I blew it up in a burnout contest 600 miles from home. Swapped it out in a field and drove home. Happy to be home, but not too thrilled with the gear ratio I currently have. I’m planning to swap again and go sure-grip this time. I’m just thinking for a bit more money I could find a way to install an aftermarket quick change rear end.
Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

 

Welcome!

I'm a little lost..... I think. You'll need two cases wit the gears that you want. Then swap between the two. Thats the only way that I can picture doing it.

If your going to do this and have one case for fun, instead of the sure grip, why not go with a full spool? Sure grips need to be rebuilt over time, a spool, not so much.

 

Thats how it was done in the old days..

Drive to the track, change out your street gears for track gears, when you're done, re-swap..

I'd just find something good enough for both.... Then you don't have to worry about swapping...

It is easy enough to swap a pumpkin out though

 

I too am a little confused, but by "aftermarket" "quick change" are you referring to a syle like this?:

or are you talking about building just another center section? The center section change is do-able its just a pain... hafta have extra gear lube, gaskets or some sort of sealer etc..... With a "true" quick change as pictured all you normally do is pull the rear cover and swap the two gears that are under it, and depending on ratio sometimes you can just invert the gears you are running...

 

I think in the long run it would be a lot cheaper and easier to put some sort of 5 speed in there

 

I believe he is talking about an old style Halibrand quick change axle. You can change the gears in just a couple of minutes with out dropping anything. Old hot rodder tricks.

 

Halibrand quick changes are great at the track. However, on the street you will constantly be looking over your shoulder for the cop you think you hear coming with his siren wailing. Had one back in the fifties in a '32 pickup, very short bed, rear axle was only 3' 8" from my ears. Probably one of the reasons I'm deaf now. They do change fast and are surprisingly rugged, if they have been poorly maintained, they will leak about like a '60's Harley.