WHAT REAR END WILL SWAP IN MY 1965 DODGE DART

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hotrodhoodlum

hotrodhoodlum

X Nostalgia Drag Racer
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I know this has been asked before but from what I read they all start at 1967 a body width. I have an 8.8 ford with a 456 in my 1965 Dart its way to much for highway. I would like to put a 8.75 in it that might just bolt in or I can weld new perches on . Please give me the low down on year and model or width I need.

Thank You
 
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tightass.jpg
 
I think any a-body 8 3/4' axle will go in there...

IF you have any sort of power, you don't want the 7 1/4" - they are too weak...
 
hotrodhoodlum said:
Thats what I thought but was confused with other posts
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I'm not sure which year the 8 3/4" started in the a-body, but I know for sure that my 67 Barracuda came with one as a factory option...

They may have been optional in the early a-body with the Formula S package...

The last year for them was 72 and they were small bolt pattern originally...

In 73 they dropped the 8 3/4" and went with the 8 1/4"... But the 8 3/4" is stronger...
 
any stock abody 8 3/4 will have a 4" bolt pattern.. easy enough to convert.. just need axles and big car brakes to do it the right way.


8 1/4 will have 4.5" bolt pattern..
 
hotrodhoodlum said:
They wont have a 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern? they have a 4"
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factory 8 3/4" came with 5 x 4" bolt pattern

Factory 8 1/4" came with 5 x 4 1/2" bolt pattern...


Or 64 - 72 factory had 5 x 4" bolt pattern...

73-76 a body factory had 5 x 4 1/2" bolt pattern..

They switched over in 73 to the larger bolt pattern...
 
krazykuda said:
I'm not sure which year the 8 3/4" started in the a-body, but I know for sure that my 67 Barracuda came with one as a factory option...

They may have been optional in the early a-body with the Formula S package...
Click to expand...

IIRC, In the later part of the 65 model year they became standard on early A's IF equipped with the 273/235 engine AND a 4 speed. Reason was too much warranty work on the 7.25's when coupled with the higher HP motor and a 4 speed. The 273 2 barrel still got the 7.25. I parted out a 65 GT with a build date of 7/23 that was originally a 273/235 with a 4 speed. The 8.75 in it had a date code of something like 7/1 or so. Still have the housing which is going in my 65 Barracuda.
 
65 Dartman said:
IIRC, In the later part of the 65 model year they became standard on early A's IF equipped with the 273/235 engine AND a 4 speed. Reason was too much warranty work on the 7.25's when coupled with the higher HP motor and a 4 speed. The 273 2 barrel still got the 7.25. I parted out a 65 GT with a build date of 7/23 that was originally a 273/235 with a 4 speed. The 8.75 in it had a date code of something like 7/1 or so. Still have the housing which is going in my 65 Barracuda.
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IIRC, the a-body 8-3/4" was also used in fleet sales, as in for taxi cabs. Just like the rear sway bars for a-bodies was a fleet only option in '76 (?).
 
65 Dartman said:
IIRC, In the later part of the 65 model year they became standard on early A's IF equipped with the 273/235 engine AND a 4 speed. Reason was too much warranty work on the 7.25's when coupled with the higher HP motor and a 4 speed. The 273 2 barrel still got the 7.25. I parted out a 65 GT with a build date of 7/23 that was originally a 273/235 with a 4 speed. The 8.75 in it had a date code of something like 7/1 or so. Still have the housing which is going in my 65 Barracuda.
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My 66 has a 3:23 Sure grip 8 3/4. 235/273 4 speed.
 
that model would be ok but remember..it will be out of service a few days each month...
 
toolmanmike said:
My 66 has a 3:23 Sure grip 8 3/4. 235/273 4 speed.
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Not sure it's accurate to say that beginning in late 1965, 273/235 4 speed A-body cars came standard with 8 3/4" rear. My 1966 Formula S (build date 9/22/66) 4 speed came with a 3:23 7 1/4" SG. The buildsheet says so and the car still retains the original rear end.
 
Could be the factory had 7.25's with sure grips and those could stand a lot more abuse than a plain non-SG 7.25. 50 plus years later I doubt even factory workers couldn't tell you the whys of what got what equipment and when.
 
hotrodhoodlum said:
I know this has been asked before but from what I read they all start at 1967 a body width. I have an 8.8 ford with a 456 in my 1965 Dart its way to much for highway. I would like to put a 8.75 in it that might just bolt in or I can weld new perches on . Please give me the low down on year and model or width I need.

Thank You
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FYI, Responses above pretty much covered rearend fitment issues.
I just wanted to relay that your wheel/tire width choices, other than stock, will be minimal regardless of what rear.
Currently working on 65 Dart, Magnum V8/4spd. conversion. I bought kit to move leafsprings in to framerails to allow a wider tire under car. Requires welding,moving rear housing perches to 36". For a couple hundred bucks, worth it to me. To have that option.
Just thought I would mention beforehand.
Also just realized your only half hour from me. LOL

Dave
 
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I just want to say... I used a 8-3/4 from a 67 GTX (5 on 4.5) in my 340 powered 4 Speed Crash box 63 Valiant... just had to buy wheels with the right off set.. obviously I had to re-weld the perch pads... and at same time set the 5° Down angle on the pinion... just saying.. ⚓
 
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clifcuda65 said:
I just want to say... I used a 8-3/4 from a 67 GTX (5 on 4.5) in my 340 powered 4 Speed Crash box 63 Valiant... just had to buy wheels with the right off set.. obviously I had to re-weld the perch pads... and at same time set the 5° Down angle on the pinion... just saying.. ⚓
Click to expand...
What size wheels/tires?
 
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