It is finally time to upgrade. I intend to use my 79' 3rd member and 81' LSD/Axles, since my drum axles are wasted. So I did some research and everyone basically states that the 79'-early 83' use the small axles, which results in they can all be inner-changeable (The differential and axles). When it came down to mounting the GSL axles onto the 3rd member, the mounting holes are completely different. The disk brakes require 5 holes, 3 for the axles to the 3rd member (shaped into a triangle) and 2 to mount the calipers. The 79' 3rd member actually only has 4 holes (shaped into a square). Because of this, I can't bolt down the axles which means I can't drive the car. How do I go around this so that I don't have to buy the GSL 3rd member? This is kind of frustrating since I searched through many threads and when I finally go about doing the swap... I run into a dead end. Please post any input, I need to finish this swap ASAP. Thanks

 

3 bolt, triangle pattern is disk brake.
4 bolt, square pattern is drum brake.

Either swap the entire housing or change out the backing plates and bearing retainers. This involves pressing the bearings off the axles and then NEW bearings pressed back on.


-billy

 

Hmm, sounds like that can work but if I change the 3bolt to the 4bolt, wouldn't I not be able to mount the calipers? I might have to just go to a machine shop and ask them to make something custom for me I guess...

 

What are you trying to do?

Why would you need anything made? The axles are the same.


-billy

 

get the gsl axle housing and be done with it

 

I wanted to use the GSL LSD and have disk brakes while using my SA 3rd member. The reason is because the GSL 3rd member has all the mounting brackets bent, because UPS must have dropped it hundreds of times. If my idea is not possible, I guess I will have to buy a new 3rd member or find a machine shop that is capable of rewelding the mounts.

 

I have a 3rd member for sale... I am pulling mine out soon...

 

Ah.....A terminology mis-understanding.

You want to us the 79 housing, 81 axles and chunk.

Well then you will need disk brake caliper mounting brackets of some sort. Or just straighten the 81 housing.

-billy

 

or...

you can sell ME the gsl LSD