A while ago I toasted the 8.25 on the Dart and have been researching inexpensive replacements. I've read through 95% of the posts in this forum and have put together a list of what swaps are likely to work with minimal headaches. Here's what I've found about reasonable donors:

73-76 Darts/Valiants
Certain Dodge Aspens
Jeep Cherokee
Pre-'95 Dakotas

Ford 7.5 and 8" from Ranger, Bronco II, Granada
Ford Explorer 8.8

I live in Maine and have not been able to find any junkyards with vehicles older than 10-15 yrs, so I'm pretty much looking at something out of a Dakota, Cherokee or Ford product. Of those choices, does anyone have an opinion of the easiest swap in terms of things lining up and minimal mechanic-ing (driveshaft shortening, spring perch re-location, etc.). I don't care what gears are in it per se as long as they are not too steep (looking for good highway driveability). The car is a '70 Swinger with the aforementioned burnt 8.25 with 10" drums and LBP wheels.

Thanks as always.

You'd better shorten up your year span on Dakotas to 90 and down, as in 91 they went to a 6 lug wheel. That is unless you wanna buy 87-90 aaxles
for a 91-96 Dakota. To spend that much, you'd be just as well off fixing your current one.

Yes, '90 and older Dakotas. Thanks. Any ideas on what is the easiest swap?

If you had a 7 1/4" axle the easiest swap would be the 8" from the Granada. That would be a bolt and go swap. I am not sure how the others would work, some axle modifications would be needed to make them fit. The thing to remember is that the A-body axle has 43" spring perches and 56 1/4" (wheel flange to wheel flange) overall length. Any axle up to 57" would fit you car.

Anything up to 57".. is this to the outsides of the drums of the backs of the backing plate?? If you are measuring the outsides of the drums, how 'bout a Jeep Wrangler Dana 35?? I have one with 4.10s sitting here collecting dust that measures like 56-1/4". Near Chicago.Came out of a 91, I drove it home, no noises.

The Dana sounds interesting. My biggest problem here in Maine is finding donor vehicles older than late 80's early 90's. I do have a lead on a used 8.25 that I hope to have an answer on by Friday, but I think it is important to continue to discuss other options as our cars are not getting any younger and reasonably priced alternatives are more likely to come from later model vehicles (at least in my case!).

Thanks for all of the advice and help.

This is the outside of the drums, ie. the wheel and/or brake flange, where the rims bolt onto. That width seems to be something of a standard many rearends from many differant makes have this measurement.

43" spring perches: is that measured inside to inside, or outside to outside?