GM 10 Bolt 8.5

GM 10 Bolt 8.5

Both 8.5 and the 8.6 axles use the same ring and pinion gears so that means a ring and pinion set from a present-day GM 10 Bolt 8.6 will install into a 1980’s GM 10 Bolt 8.5 and vice-versa.

This is not to be mistaken for the GM 8.6 IRS for the 2010-2015 Camaro.

GM 10 Bolt 8.6 is actually an 8.625. This means that both 8.6 and 8.625 mean the same thing. Many in the automotive industry have found it easier to refer to an GM 10 Bolt 8.625 axle as an 8.6 axle, consequently just 8.6 is the term most often used.

The 8.5 inch axle was used on vehicles up to 1999. The 8.6 inch was used on vehicles 1999 and up. Since 1999 was the transition year, some vehicles received the 8.5 while others received the 8.6. The easiest way to tell the difference is by looking at the brakes. All 8.6 axles have disc brakes and 8.5 have drums.

Strange Engineering only uses the highest quality Ring and Pinion GM 10 Bolt Gears available from U.S. Gear, Motive Gear and Dana/Spicer. We offer ring and pinion GM 10 Bolt 8.5 gears in all the ratios, diameters and spline counts you’re looking for to complete your drag car build.

Feel free to call us and help you decide how to gear your car for the street or strip. Or if you know the ring gear ratio you want you can order your ring and pinion gears now on the website now.