Q: What kind of rearend should I use?

The answer to this question depends on how you plan to use the rearend and how much you want to spend. In our years of experience with competition drivetrains, we have seen the popularity of various rearends rise and fall as the demands of racing have changed. Certainly, cost is a consideration for most racers. If your car already has a suitable rearend, it will be much less expensive to upgrade the existing rearend than to adapt a different type or make. On the other hand, it will be more expensive in the long run to constantly repair a rearend which is too weak for the application than to install a new rearend with an extra margin of strength at the outset.

For most applications, the Ford 9" rearend is the best choice if you are not working on a budget. The Ford 9" is light, strong, and easy to work on; it is also the most expensive rearend to prepare for competition. The Ford 9" is ideal for Pro Stock and similar demanding applications.

The Dana 60 rearend offers impressive strength at considerably less cost than a Ford 9". When used with a 4.56:1 or numerically lower gear ratio, the Dana 60 has excellent durability. It is heavier than a Ford 9", and it does not have a removable center section.

Both the 12 bolt Chevrolet and 8 3/4" Mopar rearends can provide good service in bracket racing and Super Stock competition, especially when used with automatic transmissions.

Several types of rearends should not be considered for high impact use. These include the 10 bolt Chevrolet, Ford 8", and "corporate" GM and Mopar rearends. There are virtually no performance parts available for these rearends.

Q: What type of differential should I use?

If your application requires a rearend with differential action (positraction or limited slip), the your axle and bearing choices will be very limited. A spool will provide superior performance and reliability in virtually every type of high-performance vehicle (drag race, road race, circle track, off road, and street/strip.) A spool permits the use of larger axle splines than a stock differential, which greatly improves rearend strength. Spools are lighter than limited slip differentials, and are virtually maintenance-free. For more information on spools, click here .

Q: What axles should I use?

The answer to this question is simple. Always use the largest diameter axles available. Increasing an axle's diameter and number of splines improves its strength and durability. Complete axle information can be found here .

Q: What brakes should I use?

If you are using the original housing ends, then the stock brakes can be retained in most cases. If you change housing ends, or require additional stopping power, then aftermarket disc brakes are recommended. Summers Brothers is a distributor for Wilwood and JFZ disc brake systems.

Q: What bearings and housing ends should I use?

The axle diameter determines which housing ends should be used. Axles with stock splines can be useed with stock wheel bearings and housing ends; oversize axles may require special wheel bearings or housing ends. For example, 40 spline axles require 45mm ID bearings which fit Olds/Pontiac and big Ford housing ends. Summers Brothers offers a complete selection of axle bearings and housing ends.

Q: What wheel studs should I use?

Stock 7/16" studs are inadequate for competition vehicles. We recommend our optional 11/16" "Super Stud" drive lugs for all Pro Stock, Super Gas, and any fast and/or heavy drag car. Oval track axles are available with 5/8" Grand-National type threaded studs.