Real deal or move along?
Also realize that the 8 1/4" axle will have the larger bolt pattern axles, and swapping to it will make a mismatch with your fronts. This is not a deal breaker, but may cause a problem if you have a flat, want to change to different rims, or other issues of the like!
Yes, thank you for the reminder on the bolt pattern. I forgot to mention this in the original post but the mismatch front to back will be dealt with at a later date. I'm already looking into a CPP A-body front disc conversion kit. But that will be purchased at a far later date.
I would also confirm the ratio of the gears in the 8 1/4" before I bought it, as there are 2 different sized gearsets between cases, and the higher 2:40-ish case will not interchange with the lower 3:21-ish gears, limiting you to highway gears only!
I've read this in a couple places that their are two distinct gearset sizes and they are not interchangeable. If I buy the 8-1/4 from CL guy, ideally I'd like to end up with the gearset size in the 3:21:1 range. Reason being is that according to my 1964 Dodge service manual my car should have a 3.23:1 gearset in the 7-1/4 so a 3:21:1 would be virtually the same.
All of this brings me back around to some fundamental questions: Is $250 for the Craigslist 8-1/4 a "good deal"? I'm already figuring I'm going to have to put money into new bearings and new brake components.
Whereas if I go with the Ford 8.8 I can get a newer axle (potentially with factory disc brakes, although this would be overkill on my car) for less than $250 at a pick-n-pull yard. I would then still have to have the 8.8 shortened, which means either paying someone to do this professionally (read $$$) or do it myself and risk ruining the axle (read $$$ to start over).
The 8.8 has a lot of ratio options out there on the market plus limited slips.
Either axle means I have to have my driveshaft at least shortened and possibly modified with a ford compatible yoke.
Both axles will get me a 5x4.5 bolt pattern.
For longevity which axle would better serve me? My logic tells me the Ford 8.8 would be the better long term option and potentially more cost effective. However, the 8-1/4 does keep my car with a MOPAR axle. Even that argument doesn't hold much ground with me as I am doing a lot of modifications/upgrades to my car as I work to get it road worthy.
As always, thank you all for your constructive and objective input.
