ok so the rear end in my Ch # 1873 p1800 has let go, again.. I am tired of this and desire to put in a later stronger diff and get rear discs and LSD.
either:
--- a 142 rear end with a truetrac lsd and 4.1 gears (upside I have everything for this)
--- find an 1800e/es rear end and swap it in with same truetrac and 4.1 gears.

---Ok, so the plus with the 1800e rear end would be panhard on the correct side, the width being perfect.. having plans with exact measurements to make the rods to mount it up without any welding to the body. The downside is.. I don't have an 1800e rear end, they are only getting harder and more $$$ to find as time goes by, not sure about parking brake with that setup what is required to hook it up.

---The 142e rear end would be nice since I have it already, I would have to relocate the panhard rod bolt bracket but that wouldn't be hard and I have an adjustable panhard rod anyway. I would have to weld on Spring perches on the rear end, It is 1.3" wider so .65" farther out on each side might be a problem but I think the wheels I have will negate that problem and I only run 205's anyway. I have no plans with measurements to make mounting rods to install this rear end into my p1800, and would have to design that all up myself (can't be that hard right?)

Ok so what does everyone think? 1800e rearends close to me will run 150 (lucky) to 350 (overpriced) when I can find them (oregon).


I really need LSD and a stouter rear axle, of course any way I go I need new front hubs for the same bolt pattern and would probably go to all 1800e front brakes and either 142 or 1800e rear brakes with an 1800 or 142 master and of course install extra brake lines and proportioning valve.

Advise? been there done that? anyone want to throw me a bone here?
thanks!
Sean

The choice is really a no brainer unless your time is worth nothing and you are a good welder/fabricator.
Get the 1800E/ES rearend. Consider using the E/ES control arms and modifying the brackets on the body, rather than modifying the control arms as the later setup is far superior, that's why Volvo changed it. It also may be less expensive to modify the rear to the early bolt pattern rather than the other way aroud, especially if you have early pattern wheels you could continue using.

John
V-Performance.com

OK so why is it that the 142 is a clear negative?
(I have been looking for 1800e rear ends on and off for 2 years and found ONE which got snatched up before me) I have found entire 1800e's I could buy for cheap enough that they make the 1800e rear ends I find ~ $500 seem like they are a shitty deal. But haven't had room to get the whole car.
What is so bad about the 142 rear end? why is it so impossible to swap it in? it's only .65" wider on each side, and I can fab and weld up the mounts easily enough.
so has anyone put a 142 rear end into an 1800 or 122? Any pointers? I mean it's gotta be easier than a ford 9" (and I want the later patern anyway)
Later,
Sean

The rear that John mentions would be a fairly standard Dana 30, for which limited slip units are readily available.

You won't find such a unit for an earlier 1800 rear with drum brakes.

-Matt
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-Matt '70 145s, '65 1800s, '66 122s wagon, others inc. '53 XK120 FHC