Hope to start swapping in a TC rear end in the next few weeks.. For those who have done it do you have any "pointers" ? Should I keep the quad shock set up or no? Also do I just change out the proportion valve or is it more involved than just that....Thanks, Ray
It's pretty much just a typical axle swap. If you can get your hands on a tranny jack to do it with, it makes it much easier. I couldn't use the quad shocks because I couldn't get the bolt out on the driver side of the donor car, and was worried about making holes in the frame so close to the gas tank. Tank removal on both cars would have solved my problems, but I just didn't want to do that. My tailpipes would have been a issue also. If you can make them fit, that's great, but I wouldn't worry about it if it becomes a hassle. I don't think those are very needed on our cars. As for the prop valve, just swap it. Mine has a 5-lug conversion with MarkVII rear brakes, and the TC prop valve works just fine. I don't see why it would be any different with your set up. I wish I would have stayed 4-lug. I would have been happy with TC brakes front and rear, and the TC wheels look pretty sharp when polished. Would have saved me a lot of time and money.
I will tell you this since I spent a lot of money and time figuring it out. When I swapped from my 2.73 geared 7.5" factory axle to the 3.73 geared 8.8 TC axle, it caused a pretty significant critical speed vibration in my factory steel driveshaft at around 60 - 65 mph. You may have to upgrade to an aluminum one If you experience the same problems.
Its a pretty easy swap! I changed all my parking brake cables over to TC ones so everything would work right (IIRC there was a difference between the two but can't remember exactly what).
I believe that the Mark VII uses the same parking brake cables as the TC. It may be easier to find those cables than the TC cables.
Even those are difficult to find in this neck of the woods. I'm currently running without a parking brake. My inspection is due in October. Between now and then, I'm going to see what I can find with the "Locar" company.
I bought new mark VII cables from rockauto, they werent expensive.
I think the stock center chassis brake line bolted right up to the junction block on the TC rear, I dont remember it being a problem anyway...
I put quad shocks on mine.
Ive had no driveline vibrations, 2.73 to 3.73
Pretty straight forward, just be careful and dont drop it on you......
Thanks! I'll check out Rockauto first!
I got my TC cables at Advance Auto Parts - I'd have to look back to see what the cost was but I don't think it was too bad (of course that was 11 years ago or so, lol).
Pretty much all of the parts stores have them but Rock Auto will have the best price. I just looked and O'Reillys has the two rear cables and the intermediate for about $90 tax and all if you pay their list price.
Darren
Local parts stores said it was unavailable. I see that a lot where they show it on line, but can't get it at the stores. I'm just happy to hear that someone still makes them!
I just bought the 2 rears and installed them.
I have been looking at CoolCats for parts I may need when I FbuttstuffLY do the rear end swap...What are the "C-clips" that are mentioned? How many will I need and where do I get them? Thanks in advance.
C-Clips are located in the rear end and are what actually hold the axels in the rear end. If you are swapping an entire rear from a TC they will already be in the rear. If they are missing you can simply pull the axels out of the housing.