Follow along as we show you how to rebuild a Chevy 8.2-inch 10-bolt rearend from a 1971 Monte Carlo using upgraded parts including axles, ring and pinion gears, and a positraction differential.

Our stock 10-bolt was plenty stout to withstand the torture of 165 hp from the ZedSled's stock 350 (yes, that was sarcasm), but we're looking down the barrel at 500 hp from our cammed-up 6.0 swap ...

If you're serious about horsepower, you must prepare the rear axle for abuse. The pinion shaft on the 8.5-inch 10-bolt has a diameter of 1.625 inches, the same as the GM 12-bolt.

The plan here was to upgrade the 10-bolt in our pal Larry Richard's 175-mph '87 Monte Carlo. His 7.5-inch 10-bolt carried a 3.73 gear ratio, but it needed a new posi, bearings, and axles.