hmmm...this is helpful. You are making me consider just sticking with this until such a time that it looks like it must be changed for sure. One thing that I was not aware of is the bolt-pattern issue. Getting a bigger bolt pattern wheel will make a difference in the general stress level on the rear? Is that what I am catching here?

eugene:
Mostly stress on your pocket book.

Changing the bolt pattern will cause several additional changes to be made, such as new wheels, and front end spindles for starters. Good news is; larger bolt pattern opens the door to a wider choice of wheels.

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

I would not be changing the front, just the back...

The axle and brake choices you make need to reflect how you intend to use the car. I also have a '66 Barracuda, but it is being built as a race car so it has a '65 B-body 8 3/4 rear axle and custom front disc brakes. If you like a car that stops and turns well you should consider large bolt pattern front disc brakes and a large bolt pattern rear axle. I did this with my '67 Valiant and run a 17" wheel/tire package. I don't need to change the rear axle ratio easily as I do with the Barracuda so the Valiant has an 8 1/4. I also have a '72 Dart and it sports an 8" Ford axle from a '78 Granada.

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Joshua

what kind of tricks did you have to do to get the Ford rear in?

Conversion U-joint with caps from another Ford U-joint.

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Joshua