1962 Lark rear end swap..what can I use?

[prager]

Hello, I need to get a new rear axle for my 62 Lark. I was hoping to go with a stonger maybe camaro or mustang etc..more modern rear end. Does anyone have any advice on what other cars axle would be the best fit? Thanks!!

[Transtar60]

Yeah a Dana 44 from a V8 lark will outlast those 7.5 and 8" rears used in GM pony cars and bolt right in . Thats why Currie and others sell so many Custom rear axles for Ch@#$y and F&*d cars, the Brand-x OEM is junk.

Dana 44's are still used in Jeeps, so they be just as modern as the junk in the Brand-Xs.

[studeclunker]

Just because it's old does'nt mean it's junk.

Lotsa Larks!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Studeclunker

[Mike Van Veghten]

I put a quick change in my Conestoga.
Howls like a scalded indian!! I love it!
I can change the gear ratio an about 5 minutes, including refilling the oil.

[Mike Van Veghten]

Transtar,

Is that why there is a kit to put flanged axles in the OLD Stude Dana 44's....because they're so good?
A broken axle will really tear up a fender!!
My TT is warn out in my Lark wagon...out live brand "X".
Last, I hurd Curry was using FORD assemblies in 80% of their sales...hmmm, another brand "X".

Lighten up.

Peace.

[cosmo]

say mike where'd you get the quick change axle from?

[Transtar60]

Mike,
LOL, but Currie's not complaining! I'm sure they dont ship 'em out same as they came in.
They must be doing ok either way.
I'm just not impressed with the GM corporate axles or the Ford axles.
Especially the GM Truck FF 14 bolt 10.5.

[Mike Van Veghten]

cosmo,
Mines a Winters, they're back east. There's only a coupla places that make them. I think Winters is one of the biggest.
There's several places to get'em. I got mine through Dutchman Racing Axles up in Or. There's a coupla places in the L.A. area.
Just do a web search.

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by prager

Hello, I need to get a new rear axle for my 62 Lark. I was hoping to go with a stonger maybe camaro or mustang etc..more modern rear end. Does anyone have any advice on what other cars axle would be the best fit? Thanks!!

Anything other than a Stude rear end is going to be work and not many are going to have the same narrow width as the Stude. At a minimum you have to weld on new spring perches. This is trickier than it sounds. A little too much heat and you warp the axle tubes. Then there is pinion angle to worry about, brake compatability, hooking up an emergency brake, redrilling drums for the proper pattern studs, etc. Anything can be done with enough money and talent, however.

If you aren't running a ton of HP, a Maverick 8" is probably close to the proper width. (Mustang, Camaro, etc are too wide and will severely limit your wheel/tire choices)

A Studebaker Dana 44 is a pretty stout rear end. IMHO it is as strong as a Ford 9" but a lot lighter. Consider the flanged axle conversions for this rear if you decide on it or find a late ('65-'66) Stude rear that already has the flanged axles.

-Dick-

[prager]

Thanks guys...I ended up finding a Dana 44 out of a Lark V8 wagon. I wanted a TT but beggers can't be choosers..

[prager]

Dick, what's the advantage of the flanged axles?

[Transtar60]

The advantage of the flanged axles(conversion kit) is they are same axles Ted Habit uses in in Chicken Hawk(very strong ,handles bunches of HP), the old tapered axles are getting on 40+ years old, and starting to fail from metal fatigue. Now I have only seen one axle fail and that was on the dragstrip during the National Meet at SB2002(somebody elses car). Others may have experienced more.
Check out www.fairbornstudebaker.com for the details.

[whacker]

Ferd Ranger pickup truck rear axle is 51 3/4 wide, and the bolt pattern on the drum brakes is the same as a Stude car, 5 on 4 1/2. Plus, the ranger base model wheels are the ones that look stock for the Stude and mount the full size wheel covers without modification.