Was going to post this in the "wanted" section, but the site wouldn't allow it so I figured I'd enlist the help of my fellow Texans. :texas:

I'm looking for an 8.5 rear end for my truck. I've searched high and low with no luck on craigslist in various cities, ebay, and checked with a couple salvage yards. I'm getting pretty frustrated.

Wondering if your guys could help me out here.

Thanks.

Join turbobuick.com and post a wanted thread.

where are you in this great state??
they are out there but be prepared $$$$$$$
can i ask why the 8.5 ??
u got lots of hp or ???
im just saying i run a 7.5 373 eaton posi with no problems
413hp on motor 530 with a 100 shot of N20
:beer::texas::secret:

Did you try putting up a want ad on craigslist? I put one up looking for anything from a complete rear end to just the bare housing. About a week after I posted it I went and picked up a bare housing with the bearing caps for $50. Then I found a rebuilt posi and some lightly used 3.73 gears for $250, bought a complete rebuild kit with all the bearings and races for $110 and with a cover have just under $500 into the entire thing. Try posting a want ad on cl if you haven't. It may take some time but I have always been successful finding hard to find items that way. Just found some really rare 15x4 keystone mags last month for $200!

I'll try the wanted ad on cl and turbo buick. If you guys come across something though give me a shout.

@Woody
I'm in Austin. I like the 8.5 because of their reputation for taking a beating and they swap right in. My current rear is all, but trashed from my new engine. Right now I'm pushing just under 400hp, but with a new rear I see 500+ in the near future. I want an easy swap and then not have to worry about it anymore.

i hear ya i know im on borrowed time especially if the slicks ever get a good bite
that being said whats your budget if i can ask ??
a 9 inch swap is sweet but again $$$$$
holler later woody out:beer:

How bout a ford 8.8? You can find one with a posi and rear disc brakes for around $200.
Easy to find and cheap, only 1 in wider and will bolt right in with a conversion kit form baseline suspension. I've heard they are as strong if not stronger than an 8.5. :texas:

http://www.a1aautoparts.com/ has a Grand National rear end listed.
check www.car-parts.com (http://www.car-parts.com) and there might be more listed.
They are pricey.
rally169

Thanks Rally.

Got a hit on turbo buick and a cl post, so hopefully one of thos will pan out.

@Texaselky, I'd like to keep it all GM, Ford is a 4 letter word in my family and excommunication might be considered if I made that switch. Plus I've already got the list and $ together for the rear suspension components for the 8.5 and I'd rather not go through all that again to find stuff to fit a ford rear. Also I've seen a couple of your posts about swapping in a 2004r and I'd like to know what companies and parts you used and how it's holding up.

I got the trans from CL, lock up solonoid and TV cable with the switch and Holley carb corrector from Bow Tie Overdrives. The crossmember came from the Iceman on Malibu Racing (pitqueen) on E Bay.
The crossmember works fine, I dont think it is really for a street car tho, when I had some muffler work done I was under the car and the trans seems to move a lot, no probs thus far tho.
trans is holding up fine, the 1-2 shift is softer than I would like so a shift kit is in the future.:texas:
BTW, I am just south of Austin in Kyle.

I scored a rear from a guy in south austin today that he pulled from his wrecked 85 GN. The good news is it's complete drum to drum with parking break cables and all. The bad is it's a peg leg with 3.08 gears, but for $130 I'm not complaining.

Taking this to the drive train threads to get some input on rebuilding it.

Thanks for the help guys.

@Texaselky
I drive through Kyle 3 days a week back and forth to Texas State, I'll have to stop off sometime soon with my truck and we can shoot the breeze for a bit.

Yep, I am about 1/2 a mile off of 35 at the 217 exit.

Congrats on finding one. Like I said a cl want ad is how I usually find all the hard to find stuff, and usually for a descent price!

Sounds odd that a turbo Buick would have a 3.08 gear. I'm pretty sure they all came with 3.42s. Are you positive its a 8.5" 10 bolt?

It's an 8.5" for sure I eye balled the hell out of it before I handed over the cash.

Was it in the car? Not trying to rain on your parade. But something doesn't sound right.

I know when I was looking for one, I had to look for about a year before I found one close, and gave $750 for it. I wouldn't think a GN would have a peg leg. Positive it isn't a 7.5 from a turbo regal?