What non-mopar rears will swap into an A-body with little or no modification.

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

Hi,

Tomorrow, I will be taking out the 7.25 rear that I have, and getting started on putting in a ford 8". It has the right spring perches in the right place, the overall width is within .5 inches, and it is pretty easy to find. I will post the results after I am done.

Thanks,

Greg

FMC 8" into an A - Body Huh?

That sounds like a really interesting swap, PLEASE post your results / experiences... I'd like to hear 'bout it too

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Ditto. I'd like to hear about any changes, problems or issues involved in a swap.

VM

I have a Ford 8" from a '77 Maverick ('70-77 should work) and it has almost the exact axle flange-flange width as a stock A-body axle. I plan to install in the next few months. You need one out of a 250 I6 or 302 V8 car since they'll be 5-lug instead of 4. They are 4.5" bolt circle (BBP).

Watch out for Granada (1/2-1") and '67-70s Mustang (2") rears as they are a little too wide (see notes). The Maverick axle or a '64-66 Mustang axle are the ones to get as far as my research goes.

The axle shafts centerline to driveshaft yoke distance is within 1/4" of a stock 7.25" A-body axle too (approx 10.25").

LA pick'n'pulls must have these around for cheap.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Jeep Grand Cherokee looks to be excellent . Dana 35 with 3.23 posi and large disc brakes and BBP . The carrier is aluminum.
Another SUV choice is Ford Explorer with Ford 8.8 3.23 ratio and limited slip discs and BBP
(Guys are swapping both these into 64-66Mustangs ergo they will fit A-bodies)

Both these axles will carry any A-body axle weight and come in V8 SUVs meaning your slant should be fine.
Both axles can be obtained with a swaybar already mounted.
Both axles have a shock mount and shock similar to an A-body.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Will a 64-66 Mustang rear just drop right in, and does it have the same bolt pattern as my 7 1/4? Will the drive shaft be the only modification I have to make?

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

Early Mustangs could have either 4 lug, or 5X4.5" patterns. The driveshaft should not need shortening, just an adapter u-joint.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I understand that the ford 9" rear is one of the best to use, stronger, lots of them, can even get rear disk if you want...they come in all sizes, you will need to cut down the big ones, but there some that fit perfectly, I think out of a mustang....

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73 Dart 4dr
70 duster
75 VW bug
ex-88 honda rice rocket
ex-70 cuda 383

The ford 9" may be a bad choice because of relatively high friction. It's a strong rear, but you're running into the same issues as you will with an 8.75" - they're getting rare, and it's overkill for a slant. You'd do better with the Ford 8.8" or 8" behind a slant. Or even a Mopar 8.25".

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-=- Rob -=-

GHoosdum.com

Has anyone else had a bad experience with these axles?
I've rebuilt/replaced a lot of them, and they don't seem to hold up very well. The ones in the Grand Cherokees pop so often, the price is soaring for a good used one ($1500!).
The other Dana axles seem to be bulletproof, but with this kind of record, I'd be afraid of a 35.

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