Narrowing Differential for '62 Savoy

[66/440]

I have mini tubed my 62 Savoy and am considering narrowing my differential. Currently riding on the stock differential (8 3/4) but have a B body Dana that I plan on using. Trying to get my head around all the different wheel offsets and am trying to weigh my options on whether I should narrow the Dana and if so how much. Would appreciate input from you guys who have already been through this.

 

[R413]

OK I’d narrow it 5” No more like 11” No no no, 3.25” is perfect!

wait, how do we know how much to narrow it if we do t know what you have now?
And we don’t know what wheel
S you are going to use.
Nobody can tell you the answer with so many questions left Unanswered.

 

[66/440]

OK I’d narrow it 5” No more like 11” No no no, 3.25” is perfect!

wait, how do we know how much to narrow it if we do t know what you have now?
And we don’t know what wheel
S you are going to use.
Nobody can tell you the answer with so many questions left Unanswered.

LOL, as stated above, stock width '62 8 3/4, plan on using a stock look steel wheel 8" or 10" depending on the room I can make.

 

[33 IMP]

Two approaches:
1. You say you have a b-body dana (as opposed to a truck dana, which would have to be narrowed.)Okay. Determine how much wider it is than your 8 3/4, and adjust the backspace of your wheels accordingly. You will probably have to custom order your wheels, but that still should be cheaper than narrowing the rear, and a stock width pass car dana has a lot of value! You might find a shelf wheel with a backspace you can use.
2. Pick out the wheels and tires you WANT to run, and narrow the rear to fit.
By the way, did you move the springs too, or just do the mini tub?
Edit: ive got a ramcharger 15x8 steelie on my 62, but the backspace isnt enough to use a real big tire, 4" or 4 1/4", dont remember exactly.

 

[66/440]

Car has mini tubs and frame connectors and an 8 point roll bar. Have not moved rear springs (yet) still thinking about it. Have been considering running it in NSS and I don't think moving springs is allowed. Still a work in progress, was originally a crew cab now a 2 door.

 

[R413]

Sorry I missed the b-body Dana.

I would highly advise NOT narrowing a B-body Dana. They are too valuable.

Instead narrow a truck Dana, or even less work and fussing around is to order a new Strange S60 made to your specs.

 

[ruffcut]

I run my 63 in NSS and have the springs moved in and car is mini tubbed. I use a narrowed truck Dana 60. First got the wheels I wanted and put them under the car with the slicks on them. Next measured the width of the Dana and went from there. Of course needed axles and new flanges on the Dana. Hope this helps some. RUFFCUT

 

[33 IMP]

I would suggest checking the rules of your local n/ss association, to find out for sure what you can and cant do! There are variations of rules with the various groups.

 

[dvw]

Car has mini tubs and frame connectors and an 8 point roll bar. Have not moved rear springs (yet) still thinking about it. Have been considering running it in NSS and I don't think moving springs is allowed. Still a work in progress, was originally a crew cab now a 2 door.

You can move the springs. it's lNMCA legal. My sons 62 has the front spring hanger fitted flush to the outside of the rails. Sliders in the rear. 275 Mickey Thompson Pro Bracket radials on 10" wheels. Stock wheel tubs. Clears enough to street drive with 4 full size guys in it.
Doug

 

[66/440]

Is your sons car the turbo small block I have seen the videos of? Is he running a dana? What gear set does he use?

 

[66/440]

Here is my work in progress before the tubs went in. Could not find the Savoy post assembly so used a '62 dart and the skins from the rear doors of the 4 door Savoy. Came out really nice.

 

[33 IMP]

Is your sons car the turbo small block I have seen the videos of? Is he running a dana? What gear set does he use?

Yep, that fourdoor 62 pictured is Doug's son, Dizuster (spelling) here. 360, single turbo, narrowed truck dana, mid nines at 3700 lbs. Sorry, dont know the gear ratio.

 

[dvw]

Is your sons car the turbo small block I have seen the videos of? Is he running a dana? What gear set does he use?

It has the junkyard 3.54 gears. It was a 8 lug out if a Ford truck. Just added a spool, ends, and axles.
Doug

 

[ply64post]

It has the junkyard 3.54 gears. It was a 8 lug out if a Ford truck. Just added a spool, ends, and axles.
Doug

Who is the vendor for the axle bearing ends and the axles? or do you use the ends off of an 8 3/4 housing?

Thank You
Jeff

 

[33 IMP]

Who is the vendor for the axle bearing ends and the axles? or do you use the ends off of an 8 3/4 housing?

Thank You
Jeff

There are lots of vendors of hi performance axles, and most of them sell housing ends. An 8 3/4 end and the passenger dana are the same, so yes you could use 8 3/4 ends and brakes, but most that do narrowing would prefer to use new ends. I know i would use new. You can find several brands of axles, and ends, in a jegs or summit catalog, axles and components section.

 

[dvw]

Who is the vendor for the axle bearing ends and the axles? or do you use the ends off of an 8 3/4 housing?

Thank You
Jeff

Depends on what you want to do. This 62 has Ford explorer disc brakes on the rear so it has Strange large Ford ends. My racecar has 8 3/4 ends. The biggest issue is to make sure the axles and brakes have the correct offset for the ends you are going to use. Many many different combos. Contact Strange, Dr Diff, Mark Williams before you cut.
Doug

 

[fbs63]

In my 63 Dodge the housing is 45 1/4" housing end to housing end. My springs are moved into the frame rails and the inner wheel house moved to the frame rail. I use a 15x12" wheel with 4" backspace with a 13.50 x 30 Hoosier Quick Time Pro tire and they fit well. Thats using the std Mopar 2 1/2" brake spacing. There are A LOT of variables so its best to mock everything up and take measurements. Remember the uni-body on these car had some big tolerances so its best to fit each car individually.

 

[Krooser]

Moser can do anything you need at a good price.