There were a few recent discussions about 3:55’s for an 8.5” 10-bolt,and I just happened to finish building one today. This particular one has an otherwise unmolested housing that had brake hose tabs welded on,then blasted & powder coated. I assembled it with a set of the US Gear 3:55’s,a 30-spline Tru Trac unit,Moser axles with 1/2”x2” studs,and a rear disc brake kit. This is the 6th or 7th 8.5” that I have built with these 3:55’s. They are a nice quality gearset,but since US gear is the only manufacturer,the price is about $100.00 more than a 3:42 or 3:73 ratio. Do NOT confuse US Gear with USA Gear. They are NOT the same at all.
LOL. yAH....USA GEAR aka WHEN THEY FIRST CAME OUT AS 'BUDGET GEARS' i TOLD rANDYS THAT IT WAS HARD TO SELL A GEAR SET CALLED BUDGET GEARS. THEN they named then USA STANDARD...which of course had off shore gears in them ...WACKY huh???
As we used to say about a competitor when I had my business, where everything was Made In USA, "Just beccause it says 'American' in their name doesn't mean it's made in America."
The rear brake kit is from The Right Stuff Detailing,which has become duplicated by a number of vendors,including Inline Tube. It basically is a late-70’s Caddy rear caliper with a late 70’s Camaro/Firebird rear rotor,and the caliper brackets to make it all work.
I coated and plated those disc brake parts on this one. They come with a silver cad finish from the box.
