I recently got an 8.75 rear axle complete except for U-bolts and shock mount plates. Can I modify the 7.25 shock plates or do I need to find some off of an 8.75 rear end car? Does it matter if they're from an A-body car or not? Thanks.

Joe

The shock plates from any 8 3/4 pass. car will work.
You will also need the U-bolts, those you can buy new, just be sure they fit over a 3 inch tube.
DD

Thanks for the info doc. I'm off to the junkyards.

Joe

I once took a torch to the 7.25" plates (bolt holes) and elongated them to fit the 3" axle U-bolts. Worked fine for years although you should use the 8.75" plates if you can find them.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Thanks again Lou. I was thinking that I could fit the U-bolts in the 7.25 plate with some drilling or stretching, but I think I better find some 8.75 plates for good measure. Thanks.

Joe

You can elongate the holes, but the nut behind the shock mount gets really close and you may have problems slipping the socket onto the nut.

Hey NCDart,

If you can't find good shock plates at the yard or from anybody online, etc., I saw that you can get them from Mopar Performance. They are super expensive though at about $50 each! When I put an 8 3/4" rear in my Dart over the summer, I got the pair at a swap meet for $20.

Mopar Performance p/n

4876518 right
4876519 left

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'68 Dodge Dart 4dr Sedan

MP finally raised the prices on all the U-bolt kits too. 8" used to be half the price of the 7" kit, but now they are all the same price. Last time I checked they were around $50. You can probably get them cheaper from a spring shop.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

4 WD Truck and Off Road shops have the U-bolts for lift kits. I have also got them through JC Whitney.
DD

I still prefer OEM u-bolts. They are flattened and fretted and formed into a real saddle to fit the axle tube. All the other aftermarket ones I've seen are just made from round stock, and they don't grip the tube well, and sometimes they'll actually dent the tube.

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'66 Cuda 225/4spd
'66 Dart GT convertible 225/auto
'64 Dart GT 340/4spd

I have noticed that the 8 1/4 shock mounts are identical to the 8 3/4. If possible, go to the wrecker and pull these off the axle instead of playing with the 7 1/4 mounts. You'll be happier in the end

Collin