After a 600 mile round trip this summer, I've come to the realization that I need higher (numerically) gears in my Dart (I'm running 2.45:1 now. Ugh). I've been checking online for 8 1/4 gears and carriers, but my budget doesn't allow for a new set. Long story short, I'm thinking about hitting my local Pick-a-part to look for some gears.

What should I be looking for as far as year/model/etc. ? Is it a good idea to nab gears from the JY? I could likely pick up the crush sleeve, carrier bearings and other assorted bits from my local Napa. Any other advice?

Thanks in advance,

Nat

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1970 four-door Dart, 225/A-904/2.45 gears. 0-60 in twenty three minutes!

You will not be able to get the ring and pinion mesh the same as they were. If you take the pumpkin apart to put in new bearings you will probably have a bit of gear whine.
Check for excessive play in whatever rear end you decide to get from Pic-a-part.

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

The idea is to pull the gears out of the donor rear and put them in the rear that's already in the car. maybe upgrade to a SG unit (if I get lucky).Crazy?

Thanks,

Nat

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1970 four-door Dart, 225/A-904/2.45 gears. 0-60 in twenty three minutes!

It is far easier to swap the entire rear axle assembly, drum to drum. That's what I would do.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

I would never swap used ring and pinion gears from one rearend to another, for the reason mentioned above- they will probably never mesh exactly the same in the new rear are they did in the old one.

Just never seemed like a good idea to install new bearings, seals, a crush sleeve and shims with a used set of gears. Too much trouble to go through only to find out you can't set the mesh pattern properly after you've used up three crush sleeves.

If the donor gears are low mileage and you know the maintenance history...maybe. Otherwise, I'd pony up the $200 and buy a new set.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0274444156

2.40's is brutal, though, you're right. I have 2.94s and they are not fun.

Thanks for the link. I'm shooting for 3.21s or so. Since I have 2.45s, I need a carrier for the new gears too since the 2.45 carrier is different.

Thanks again,

Nat

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1970 four-door Dart, 225/A-904/2.45 gears. 0-60 in twenty three minutes!

Just an idea but what if you put larger diameter wheels on it ?
Course that would throw off the speedometer accuracy.

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~Spider
1963 Dodge D200 w/225
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"The three great essentials to achieving anything worthwhile are; first, hard work, second, stick-to-it-iveness and third,
common sense."
- -- Thomas Edison

Using "bigger tires" would make your problem worse, shorter tires would help you out some. The problem is finding tires short enough to make a change you will notice, especially with such a steep gear.


TopHat

I wold not hesitate to swap a used gear set. If its too noisy look for a whole donor axle.....either way dont pay any real money.

I swapped a 8.8 Explorer unit under my car....for the 3.55 gears and rear disc brakes.....lots of options

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

I've swapped used gear sets around a lot too. Yes, you may get noise, but I've seen brand new gears make noise too.

Dealerships put new bearings on used gear sets all the time. 9-1/4" Mopar rears are notorious for pinion bearing failures, but rarely gear problems. New bearings and away we go.

Using used parts is always a crap shoot. Like Sandy dais, don't pay new price for used parts.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Thanks fellas. What should I be looking for (model wise) down at the junkyard? That is to say, what models are more likely to have 3.23 (or thereabouts) gears installed? I know how to identify the different rear ends, but not sure how to tell ratio without dropping the driveshaft and spinning the wheels.

Thanks again,

Nat

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1970 four-door Dart, 225/A-904/2.45 gears. 0-60 in twenty three minutes!

I would look at V6 5-speed 2WD Dakotas ('96 and older) for 3.21 gears. You may find many 3.55s before you find 3.21s though.

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Joshua