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8 1/4 rears
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Author:  Bren67Cuda904 [ Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:53 pm ]
Post subject:  8 1/4 rears

I d like to replace the 7 1/4 rear. I ve heard the 8 1/4 were in alot of cars but not many if any were near the 3.23 ratio. I've got no problem cutting one down from a B-body. Is this true about the ratio?

Author:  featherduster76 [ Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:30 pm ]
Post subject: 

Actually I personally have seen quite a few of these with a 3.23 gear set.
I've seen them ranging from the 2.76 to 3.73 as well. IIRC the 73-76
duster or dart 8.25 rear should be a bolt in to your barracuda- They seem pretty common and can be had very reasonably as well and while youre in there Id grab the matching driveshaft as well (assuming the parts/donor is 904 equipped as well) . That'd save you from having to have a driveshaft and rearend cut down- if you'd wanna go that route. My '78 dodge truck was a factory 225 truck and it's 8.25 was equipped with 3.55's. Check truck and vans as they usually have a pretty good
gear in them...Just my .02 . Hope this helps...

Author:  DusterIdiot [ Thu Jul 27, 2006 9:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Not a common A-body rear...

The sad part about the 8 1/4" rear is they only made the A-body version for 4 model years...they're all LBP. The 3.21 version can be seen under slant six 3 speed manual cars (made quite a few with disc brakes like this), or 3.21 and 3.55's in the 340/360 cars. Some Darts got the 8.25" with a 318 and 2.45 rear gearing. I have one currently in the "shed" that's a 1974 with 3.21's for the next project.

One thing to note, is they are not easy to cut down from a larger axle as these are "C-clip" rear ends (the ends of the axle shafts have a pair of clips keeping them from coming out while cornering...much like the 9.25" rear end also), you can probably use a set of axle shafts from an A-body rear in a cut down 8.25", but it's probably cheaper at that point to either buy the correct rear, or get an 8 3/4" cut down.

You will also find that many trucks with the "8.25 light duty" axle could come with anything from 3.23-3.91's depending on the package, if you want junkyard gears.

-D.Idiot

Author:  Bren67Cuda904 [ Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:11 am ]
Post subject: 

Which years did the 8 1/4 a body rears come that maybe 3.21 ratio? I need to call the salvage yards.

Author:  DusterIdiot [ Fri Jul 28, 2006 7:17 am ]
Post subject:  1973-1976

1973-1976 but not everything got the 3.21....it's just easier to try and find the rear and change the gears (cost me about $250 at a local shop). Try to get one that's a 2.76 or above...the 2.45 has a special carrier that won't accept 2.76 or above gearing...

-D.idiot

Author:  70valiant [ Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:03 am ]
Post subject: 

Slant six cars generally got 3.21's with a stick shift and automatics usually got 2.76's any thing is possible though.

Author:  SlantSixDan [ Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:12 am ]
Post subject: 

Remember, www.car-part.com is your friend. Search 1975 Dodge Dart rear axle (RWD), on the next screen pick 10-bolt cover, and you'll get your search results.

If you cannot find an A-body rear axle with the ratio you want, a close second preference is an F-body (Aspen/Volare '76-'81) or M-body (Diplomat '77-'89, Gran Fury similar years). Overall width is compatible, you'll just have to scootch (cut and weld) the spring perches inward slightly to match the A-body spring perch separation width.

3.21 ratio was standard with 3- and 4-speed manual trans, optional with automatic, on both the A- and F-body applications. Cop-spec M-bodies got 8ΒΌ" rear axles usually with 2.94 ratio, but sometimes with 3.21.

Author:  zedpapa [ Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:00 am ]
Post subject: 

if you are going to cut an axle to make it the right width, then i would get a 8.75 axle from a van or a truck. they are all over the place and you can change gears in about 30 minutes. i don't think narrowing and axle is all that hard, especially with and 8.75. just cut the tubes and weld to the right length and then have a competent shop straighten the housing. custom shafts would not be neccessary if you make it a-body width. just all moser and get theirs. i think they list for around $250/pair.

zedpapa

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