New vs Old Rear End

fiesta54 · Post by **fiesta54** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 6:30 pm

Hey all,
I was just wondering, is it an easy swap to put a late model rear end into an early car? My fiat originally came with the old style rear end and I can get my hands on the new style rear end for free.
Thanks,
Mike

Exit98 · Post by **Exit98** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 8:03 pm

Do it, you won't be sorry.

You need the driveshaft and the pitman arm from the donor car. Also the brake backing plates are different too.

Easy swap. Of course you can do the springs and shocks while you are there, and the brakes will be apart as well.

Search the forum there's a write up somewhere. If you go ahead you can PM me if you want for more specific details.

vandor · Post by **vandor** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:11 pm

>You need the driveshaft and the pitman arm from the donor car.

You meant the panhard rod. The pitman arm is the arm for the steering box.
The driveshaft length is different by 10 mm, but usually there is enough play in the front slider to make up for it, but the center support needs to be loosened and allowed to find its new place - if the rubber is distorted ten the holes may need to be slotted so it can move in a 'rest' position where the rubber is not stretched toward the back or the front.

Exit98 · Post by **Exit98** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 12:40 pm

vandor wrote:You meant the panhard rod. The pitman arm is the arm for the steering box.

Oh my, Is that why my Spider steers from the back?

Thanks Vandor for that minor correction.

You also need the donor rear hard brake line, it's different than the early one. I found that out the hard way.

fiesta54 · Post by **fiesta54** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 6:14 pm

Thanks for the replies. I just bought this car last spring and replaced the springs and shocks and did the brakes over the summer so I will just be reusing those. I mostly was just worried about the actual fitment of the rear end as a whole. I wasn't sure if it used the same mounting points and everything. I can also get my hands on the drive shaft that goes with the new rear end so I guess I might as well replace that while I have it apart. Thanks for the help!

Coolbreeze · Post by **Coolbreeze** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 7:44 pm

Every time I follow a Honda CRV, I notice that car's independent rear suspension has roughly the same track as my Spider. If I were swapping rear ends, that would be a tempting change -- if I had the means to do it.

Has anyone else put an independent rear end in a Fiat Spider?

fiesta54 · Post by **fiesta54** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 8:50 pm

I've always had dreams of a miata rear. Supposedly the whole rear sub frame on those is held in by a couple bolts

vandor · Post by **vandor** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 11:31 pm

>Has anyone else put an independent rear end in a Fiat Spider?

Abarth

I have thought about a Miata rear too, it really depends on the size of the Miata subframe - I think it's too big for the Spider.

The other question is, at that point why not just buy a Miata?

Tobi · Post by **Tobi** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 11:45 pm

No guy's, don't say the M-word here

You know what is about to happen now, don't you?!

fiesta54 · Post by **fiesta54** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 11:51 am

uh oh, is the M word forbidden around here?

Tobi · Post by **Tobi** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 1:06 pm

It is fine as long nobody posts that photo with that dude again

RRoller123 · Post by **RRoller123** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 1:35 pm

Don't do it, Jay!!!

fiesta54 · Post by **fiesta54** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:38 pm

photo with the dude? Now you've got me curious!

RRoller123 · Post by **RRoller123** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:47 pm

NO!!!! DON'T ENCOURAGE HIM!!!

fiesta54 · Post by **fiesta54** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:55 pm

I think I'm going to regret having asked that!

New vs Old Rear End

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