hi i have been building my car for a while and i found a rearend that is apparently out of a second gen car......i have a 83 gsl with drum brakes in the back, the axle i bought looks identical to the one that is in there alredy besides the brakes. did the later first gens come with a disk brake setup or is this a second gen axle. also i need new calipers and rotors know anywhere worth checking out? thank you

 

2nd gens are IRS, you have a disc brake rear from a 1st gen GSL or GSL-SE.

Isaac

 

5 lug hubs = GSL SE
4 lug hubs = GSL

This should be a direct swap, though you might have to use the old driveshaft (or the one that came with the rear end (I hope?)). There was a change to the point where the driveshaft mounts to the differential, so that is what you'll be watching for. If I recall correctly, they will use a different style of bolt to attach as well.

Some will say that you also need to swap out the proportioning valve, or even the entire master cylinder/booster assembly. I did neither, and everything works great.

Before you get ready to do the swap, hose everything down with PB Blaster and let it sit for at least a couple of days. This will make all the difference between an easy swap, and spending a week drilling out broken bolts.

The final tightening of all suspension mounting points should be performed with the weight on the wheels (put rear wheels on ramps). Otherwise, you will end up with very erratic handling, and will have to do it over anyway.



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ALL first gens were 4 lug, even GSL-SE. The difference with the GSL-SE hubs is in the bolt circle. Its 4x114.3 instead of 4x110 as on all other first gens. There is a change as was mentioned by Kentetsu in the driveshaft flange. I am unsure of when exactly this change was made though. Also, disk brake rear axle always had a LSD diff, unless someone did a conversion at some point.

2nd gen cars always had an IRS (independent rear suspension). This is NOT easily converted into a 1st gen though, serious fab work would be required.

I have found that www.rockauto.com usually has decent prices on most auto parts, and good selection too. Usually very quick shipping as well. I highly recommend them.

 

the 81-85 GSL rear uses wheel bolts instead of studs. it also has non vented rotors.

the 84-85 GSL-SE uses larger vented rotors, and studs.

the 81-82 cars use small axles and a small driveshaft flange. the 83-85 use a big axle flange, but only the 84-85 cars get the big axles.

 

I have a great set of (lightly used) calipers and rotors just a short drive from you...

 

Dang. That's what I get for posting while distracted/tired. Thanks for the correction.

 

It's that virus, it has affected your rememberer.....

 

I've been meaning to ask this for a while and it usually slips my mind.. Do the GSL and GSL-SE calipers mount differently? Caliper brackets and such? I have most of the parts for a -SE rear swap, but I need to know this first. Thanks

-Wyatt

 

I'm going to shoot from the hip again, and hope I get it right this time

I believe that there is a difference in the size of disc between GSL and GSL SE. I could look this up on rock auto, but its been a long day. So, if the size is different, then the mounting would be different as well.





(Disclaimer: Be advised that Kentetsu is currently reading/diagnosing/posting while Inebriated) (Hey, it's been a tough week! )
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