Dakota Rear in 72 Dart

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friesza

friesza

The Machinist
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Was at the local pick a part today and scavenged some parts....while there I was looking at some 1st gen Dak's and was wondering if they would fit under the Dart without narrowing...perches etc. are no problem...I searched but could not find any dimensions for width...all of them were 8.25's with 5 on 4.5 I believe...as I read somewhere they are 5 on 4.75...never heard of that but like I said read it somewhere on here...I really dont want to run a phurd rear under it...but they are plentiful with rear disks...even if you have to shorten it...
 
I have an 92 dakota that I used to have a small block LA motor in it. I was a major dak enthusiast and long story short the truck got ran into during a reassembly. I'm going to use that 8.25 in my 73 here eventually. I haven't measured it out yet, but I don't think it should have to be narrowed it at all. Just reposition the spring perches.

an FYI on the bolt pattern.
85-90 is 5x4.5
91-2000 and up are 6x4.5 *same as viper*

However you can get axels from superior for an 85-90 dakota 8.25 and they will slide right in with no modifications. Exact same spline and length. Then all you need are 10 in drums for same model year truck.

Also be careful, and Oval rearend is an 8.25 and an Octagon shaped rearend is a 7.25
 
Thanks...and yeah I know the difference...I have an eye for rear ends or so my wife says :toothy7:I did not take a tape measure with me...but I will monday when I go to pick up the manual steering box from a Valiant
 
I've been looking for a new rear end for my Dart also. The Dakato's measure 63" from wheel mounting flange to wheel mounting flange. Cherokee's measure 60 3/4" wheel mounting flange to wheel mounting flange. My 73 Dart measures 56 1/2" wheel mounting flange to wheel mounting flange.
Hope this helps.
 
What year dakota did you measure?...I was looking at the first gen ones from around 88 or 89. I am going back to the pick a part tomorrow and will measure.
 
Just know that early gen Dakota rear Diffs are kinda weak, seems most of blew up,...Mine did,...If they got 3.23's in em, there time is limited,...If they got 3.55's in em they've been replaced,...apparently 3.23's are/were NS1 per Chrysler (at least for that application)
 
jaimus said:
Just know that early gen Dakota rear Diffs are kinda weak, seems most of blew up,...Mine did,...If they got 3.23's in em, there time is limited,...If they got 3.55's in em they've been replaced,...apparently 3.23's are/were NS1 per Chrysler (at least for that application)
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depends, the 4 cyl models have the 7 1/4 weaker rear ends, for all intensive puposes last quite well behind a 4 cyl. If you get a fairly low milage 8 1/4 it will hold more power but it definatly isn't going to take 450 hp to the wheels and last long. for that you need a 8 3/4. 8 1/4 is great for a street car that is a mild build
 
They will work fine the only thing that is really different is the center pin in the spring perch it is 3/8'' and a an A-body is 5/16.
 
66plyValiant said:
depends, the 4 cyl models have the 7 1/4 weaker rear ends, for all intensive puposes last quite well behind a 4 cyl. If you get a fairly low milage 8 1/4 it will hold more power but it definatly isn't going to take 450 hp to the wheels and last long. for that you need a 8 3/4. 8 1/4 is great for a street car that is a mild build
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No doubt,...None of the boneyard trucks up here have diffs in them,..In any case a looksee inside the housing is difinitly in order
 
I remember that i had to replace my rear in my 92 318ci dakota twice. The yokes were odd balls if i remember right and caused an issue when i was looking for a replacement differential in the bone yards. I had 3.55 gears and it was always the pin in the diff that broke on both occasions.

I thought the rims were 5 on 4.5" in 92, but i could be mixed up in my memory. This was over 10 years ago now.
 
Well...measured it today...actually several...and all were 54" from backing plate to backing plate and 62" from wheel mounting surface to surface....seems a little too wide...so I guess the hunt continues... :angry7: I was hoping it would for the decent gearing
 
friesza said:
Well...measured it today...actually several...and all were 54" from backing plate to backing plate and 62" from wheel mounting surface to surface....seems a little too wide...so I guess the hunt continues... :angry7: I was hoping it would for the decent gearing
Click to expand...

yupp they fit F/M/J cars to a "T" but they won't fit A body without mods
 
My memory is messed up then I was thinking the mesurments was not that fare off because I used an A-body 8.75 in my 94 dakota and just drilled the center holes out and welded the shock brackets on.
 
Thats ok....I was a little bummed it wasnt quite narrow enough...but I will find something eventually...I just keep my eyes on the pick a part locally and wait for something to come in...and craigslist
 
rdakota340 said:
My memory is messed up then I was thinking the mesurments was not that fare off because I used an A-body 8.75 in my 94 dakota and just drilled the center holes out and welded the shock brackets on.
Click to expand...

you could likely do that easily as that mod would allow you to run wider tires on the dakota (narrower rear)
 
yep thats right I remember now thats why I used it!
 

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