Which is stronger

I did not realize that the 80's police cars were equipped with a 9 1/4. You can get parts for a 9 1/4 . They were used alot in 4 WD applications. Narrowing one though might be a bit harder. I guess you could put ford ends on the tubes and get rid of the C clip and have some axles made. All of the Hotchkiss type of rears are heavy [except the 7 1,4] The saving grace of the 8 3/4 is that it is light. More gear options for a 8 3/4 too. I like the 8 3/4 because it can be used like a poor man's quick change. Just pop the axles. It would be hard to kill a properly set up 8 3/4 in an A body. {obviously, it has been done though].