I have a 72 Lark with the 8.5 10 bolt rear. I know the 77-89 B bodies have the same rear, but due to width, control arm and spring position, it cannot be a direct swap. However, the police package has rear drum brakes that are 11" compared to 9" on the Lark. If these figures are wrong, someone please correct me. It seems to me that for a low cost rear upgrade, you could just change the rear braking parts around get better braking. Is there anyone out there who has done this or knows if it can be done inexpensively and without a great deal of machine work. I know the bolt pattern on the drums is 5x5 and would have to be changed for the wheels to fit, but can this be done in a cave by a reasonably talented Neandertal using stone tools?
I have no feedback on this for you but I think that your reasoning is good.I have owned a few B bodies and they all have very good brakes,mine is equipped with 12" rotors,that's hard to beat for a stock set up.I wonder if the backing plate mounting bolt pattern will be the same acroos the board for the bolt in axle rears,if that's the case then I don't see why it will not work.You know about the 5x5" bolt circle already,I wish that I could measure mine but I have no access to that part of the car .Hope someone that has been down that road chimes in this one,good thinking.Good luck :3gears: .
You need to find an A-Body wagon from I think it was '73-'78 or so. They came with 11" brakes already & had a 4 3/4" bolt circle. Done this swap many times, it's a bolt-in.
