Your honest opinion

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That one guy

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I have a B-Body 8.75 rear end (I think its a year '71-'75) complete drum to drum with a open 3.23 and 489 case that I bought with the intention of narrowing and dropping under my A-body but I have decided to go another route. I put the rear end up for sale for the same price that I got it for...$600 and I got into a conversation with a guy that was interested in trading for it. He offered up a few different things but what caught my eye was his 8.25 he said came from under a '70 Duster with unknown gears and open center. I asked him to put some cash on top on his end and we have a deal and he seemed to get offended and blocked me.
I can admit when I am wrong but there is no way that these two rear ends are worth the same... are they?
What would you honestly say both rear ends are worth?
 
Is yours a sure grip? If not, 600 is too steep. 70 Dusters didn't come with a 8.25, so it's been swapped. Open 8.25 A-body might be 200.00 in unknown state.
 
IMHO, you were not out of line asking for some cash, but you didn't say how much. Anyone that gets "offended" during good-faith negotiations is a nitwit.
 
How did you have something for sale here with only one post?
 
The 8 1/4 is 73-up unit. Any idea ehY gear is in it. Those rears have been steadily climbing in price.

If I remember there is something with the housing if it has 2:45 gears that you have to bring to fit any good gears in it.
 
If I remember there is something with the housing if it has 2:45 gears that you have to bring to fit any good gears in it.

There is a carrier split at 2.71; anything numerically higher uses a larger carrier.
 
I'd keep the 8 3/4 and just get it narrowed, put in a sure grip and the gears you want. Do it right the first time, you already have the major parts there already
 
The 8 1/4 like Joe said is '73 on up. If it is complete drum to drum with desirable gears say 3:55 or 3:91. And has working sure grip. IMO it's worth 500 to 600. No really sure what the b rear is worth. 4-450 guess. W/0 suregrip. It's stupid to block you. If he wanted it he should have worked it out with you. :realcrazy:
 
Post op the whole conversation, and I'll let you know what I think, but I'm not gonna pass judgement on half a conversation
 
8-1/4''s are ok, but in my opinion are definitely inferior to 8-3/4. I have 8-1/4''s in my jeeps and the whole axle shafts rolling directly on roller bearings is just a bad idea. They are probably ok in light duty service, but I wouldn't feel good about their longevity in a heavily loaded vehicle.
On the other hand, because of their use in jeeps for so many years, there are still a lot of parts available for them.
 
How did you have something for sale here with only one post?
I had it on Craigslist. I do not have time to deal with shipping and I don't think its fair to tempt people across the country if I have no intention on doing business with them.
Additionally, If any of you are located in Southern California and might be interested, feel free to send me a PM. I do not plan on placing for sale here for the reason above
 
The 8 1/4 like Joe said is '73 on up. If it is complete drum to drum with desirable gears say 3:55 or 3:91. And has working sure grip. IMO it's worth 500 to 600. No really sure what the b rear is worth. 4-450 guess. W/0 suregrip. It's stupid to block you. If he wanted it he should have worked it out with you. :realcrazy:

Well that is good to know, I did not know that the 8.25 was not used until after '73, thank you for that. Additionally, thank you for real $$$. I had assumed there was no way a 8.25 could be worth more than 300-400 at its best. He did say it was an open center, and my guess is that if you don't know the gears... they most likely are not desirable... but that is just the pessimist in me
 
8-1/4''s are ok, but in my opinion are definitely inferior to 8-3/4. I have 8-1/4''s in my jeeps and the whole axle shafts rolling directly on roller bearings is just a bad idea. They are probably ok in light duty service, but I wouldn't feel good about their longevity in a heavily loaded vehicle.
On the other hand, because of their use in jeeps for so many years, there are still a lot of parts available for them.

Based on what I've seen, as long as I am not drag racing it (check), not running more than 500ish hp through it (check), not running extra wide tires (check), and am only pushing a relatively light A-body (check) the 8.25 should be more than adequate and the appeal is the availability of them in junkyards today for parts such as lockers and disk brakes

I'd keep the 8 3/4 and just get it narrowed, put in a sure grip and the gears you want. Do it right the first time, you already have the major parts there already

Recently heard of obtaining a 2005 jeep liberty 8.25 rear with the 3.7ish-4.10 gears with a locker and disk brakes that comes in the same width of a '65-69 b-body 8.75 at roughly the same cost of just buying a brand new locker for the 8.75. I agree that the 8.75 if far superior but I think it might be overkill for what I need. Bang for the buck, that Jeep Liberty rear seems hard to beat
 
Just to clear things up:
The 8.75 ended A body production in 1972 but Truck production ended in 1974. I have never seen a 73 or 74 B bodywith an 8.75 except a station wagon. They may have been put in the Charger & Satellite but I have never seen one past 1972.
1965 B was one width, 66-67 was slightly wider. The 68-70 B body housing is the same. 71-72 is W I D E! Something like 63" drum to drum. A pre 1971 B body 8.75 fits many A body cars. I have a '68 Coronet axle in my 67 Dart, my brother in law has a '70 B axle in his 72 Duster.
 
Based on what I've seen, as long as I am not drag racing it (check), not running more than 500ish hp through it (check), not running extra wide tires (check), and am only pushing a relatively light A-body (check) the 8.25 should be more than adequate and the appeal is the availability of them in junkyards today for parts such as lockers and disk brakes

I might agree - if you already had an 8-1/4 in your car. But your original post suggests that you don't have one yet and were thinking about picking one up. You asked for honest opinions, and mine is if you are going to go through the time and expense of an upgrade, it is best to do it right. If I were you, I would cut down the 8-3/4 you already have.
 
Cutting down the 8 3/4” and moving the perches on the axle you already have will be about $200, then there’s the BBP axles at about $300-$400, depending on the company you buy from. Sounds like with a $600 starting fee, you’ll be in at over $1k for your setup.
 
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