Reality check: A body rear ends

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dozer556

Not old school. Just old.
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Now that I have my hands on the Barracuda, I can begin planning the up-n-coming build.

Short version: swapping out the S6 + manual for a 360 + auto. The idea is to have a fun weekend car / fair weather driver that is pretty reliable and can still scoot.

(I know there are those who are going to tell me that the S6 is totally reliable, and that I can boost it for fun, but the engine discussion will happen at another time.)

The 7.25" isn't going to last long behind a V8. I'm not a total Mopar purist, but I would like to make the swap as bolt-in as possible, so that leaves me with the following:


  • The 8.75", which is probably overkill for a healthy 360 (but might come in handy if I ever decide to throw a 383 under the hood).
  • The 8.25", which is underrated and overlooked IMHO, and could live happily behind a 360 with reasonable care.

I know about the Ford 8.8 as well, but like I said...looking mainly for bolt-in. But I could be persuaded, if time becomes an issue (more on that later).

I've seen a number of 8.75s available on eBay and craigslist, running from $550 for just the carrier to $900 for the carrier with axles and bearings. Totally complete and rebuilt units are out of the question, with some of them topping $2500. I don't mind spending SOME money on a decent setup, but that's a little rich for the scope of this project. I found one fellow on eBay who wants 1k plus freight shipping for a complete A-body 8.75" with posi, but it looks like it's been sitting out in the open for a little while.

I haven't come across too many A-body 8.25s in my search just yet.

One thing I am doing is looking for suitable donors on craigslist, hoping that I'll come across a good rear end, and some front discs out of a later A-body...but that could be a long wait. And not necessarily a cheap option, either.

It's really a question of money and time. I would like to have this car up and running by late April, early May, so that's is a consideration. I do have a little bundle of cash set aside for things "right now", but don't want to blow too much of it on something that's not needed, while shorting the build somewhere else.

So, turning to the Mopar crowd for opinions. Spend the $$$ for a good 8.75" setup? Wait to find a decent 8.25"? Or maybe take the junkyard 8.8" Ford option, and just get 'er done?
 
70's maverick/Comet direct bolt in...lots of drop out gear choices too. 2 cents

or whatever you can find first ;)
 
I have close to $3000 into my 8-3/4 but thats all off the shelf vendor brand new parts.
 
Find an 8 3/4 housing and send it to Moser. They can modify it for A body axles. Aftermarket BBP axles are relatively inexpensive, Or get a set of OEM small bolt axles cheap. Get a Pumpkin, any number will do. Replace seals, get brake assemblies and bolt it in. An A body 8 1/4 should be fine for what you want, if you can find one.
 
Were some of them actually a 8"?

Yes . A friend does 302 Pinto swaps. The 2.8 v6 automatic is a 8 " , 3;42 gear ratio. ( Pinto/ most likely Bobcat) Open the drivers door, find the DSO tag. A listing for rear ends, ( gear ratio ,wise) is listed by letter. Seen 3 of the 2.8 automatics be 3.42 gears, only looked three times.
 
to me anything 8.25 and up is great.

The o.p. is absolutely correct that 8.25 is over looked. 1 5/8 pinion diameter .....after 74 it was used by the factory in 360 cars.

8.25 would work just fine ....if you can find an 8 3/4 even better. A dana would the ultimate if you can afford it.
 
65-67 B body 8 3/4" is a possibility also. Can get those a lot cheaper than A bodies. Some minor work and some custom backspaced wheels or Mustang wheels and your good to go.
 
Just buy a C-body rear and send the housing and axles to Moser. Strong, big bolt pattern, big brakes. Upgrade to the gears you want and a sure-grip later on.
 
Too bad you don't live closer.
I have a few 8 1/4'' rears that i would like to sell.
Shipping would be outrageous though.
Nobody wants them around here, it's a body 8 3/4'' or nothing........
 
It's like anything else,when you buy a $50 rear and do the work to install it you still have a $50 rear.8.25's are good rears and hold up to 300-400hp launches 8 3/4's have lived very well behind 340's -440's and the great advantage is resale!
 
If you have access to a 8 1/4 go that route. I have a 3.21 SG 8 1/4 behind my 360 69 Dart with no problems. As long as your OK with the large bolt pattern.
 
Thanks for all the input, and to all who sent PMs, too. You guys rock. Speaking of rock...

:notworth:

It looks like Rocky_JS is helping me secure a complete A-body 8.75" rear AND a V8 K-member with discs. I'm pretty stoked.

Will keep you posted...
 
Thanks for all the input, and to all who sent PMs, too. You guys rock. Speaking of rock...

:notworth:

It looks like Rocky_JS is helping me secure a complete A-body 8.75" rear AND a V8 K-member with discs. I'm pretty stoked.

Will keep you posted...

Nice good score glad to see some more north westers on here. Dustin
 
The one thing the 8.25 rear has over the 8.75 rear is a very easy/simple bolt on rear disc brake upgrade from a Jeep grand Cherokee.
 
I'm still trying to figure out how you are going to put a POSI in a MOPAR ??
 
The one thing the 8.25 rear has over the 8.75 rear is a very easy/simple bolt on rear disc brake upgrade from a Jeep grand Cherokee.

Actually, it has several other advantages: mostly, an abundant supply of late-model axles and parts in almost any salvage yard! When was the last time you saw an 8.75" axle with a 3.55 Sure Grip in a junkyard? I could probably find an 8.25" with a 3.55 SG in a day!
 
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