Ford 8 inch rearend swap

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63rustydart

63rustydart

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Has anyone done one of these on their Dart? Just curious, I’m trying to broaden my options.
 
I have one from an early mustang, have not installed it yet. Perches are 43" OC. I believe there may be a small discrepancy in the width of the springs about 3/8".
I don't think relocation is necessary
 
I built and installed a ford 8” into a 68 dart a couple years back for a friends sons car. The total cost with brand new gears, limited slip center section, axles and 10” brakes from a ford aerostar van was $900. We couldn’t find a 8.75 for less than $800 local and that’s not even rebuilt.

From my memory the spring perches on the axle we used were about 1/8” inboard, it pretty much bolted right in and I had to use a conversion ujoint but no changes to the driveshaft had to be made.
 
Gimike812 said:
I built and installed a ford 8” into a 68 dart a couple years back for a friends sons car. The total cost with brand new gears, limited slip center section, axles and 10” brakes from a ford aerostar van was $900. We couldn’t find a 8.75 for less than $800 local and that’s not even rebuilt.

From my memory the spring perches on the axle we used were about 1/8” inboard, it pretty much bolted right in and I had to use a conversion ujoint but no changes to the driveshaft had to be made.
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Thanks for the input! This helps a lot with my decision!
 
Check out Quick Performance for 8” parts. I got new 3.55 gears in a limited slip carrier already setup set to me for like $500 if I recall correctly.

Also you can think about the ford 8.8 swap and I have had one in my 64 valiant for 6 years now.
 
Gimike812 said:
Check out Quick Performance for 8” parts. I got new 3.55 gears in a limited slip carrier already setup set to me for like $500 if I recall correctly.

Also you can think about the ford 8.8 swap and I have had one in my 64 valiant for 6 years now.
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Thank you! I’m just trying to ease the process, not that this process is any easier lol Which is the reason why I was asking about the ‘8 rear. I’ve looked into the ford 8.8 reads and it just sounded like a little more work cutting shortening it and moving the spring perches. Is it more worth it?
 
The Ford 8 rear is a bolt in spring perch wise, the difference can be made by just forcing the springs to fit as there is a little give to them. you can always massage the rear shackles too, give them a small offset. Mopar 8.25 is a good option too, plenty out there. Double check your diff to fuel tank clearance. My 8.75 hump is very close to the tank.
 
2 short side axles and 1 tube cut to match as well as spring perches welded on. What you get is a 30 year newer, potential LSD with disk brakes and Ford BBP axles....Do you need disks out back?
 
pishta said:
2 short side axles and 1 tube cut to match as well as spring perches welded on. What you get is a 30 year newer, potential LSD with disk brakes and Ford BBP axles....Do you need disks out back?
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I’m fine with drum brakes for the rear as long as it’s BBP. I would rather have an 8 1/4 rear, but it really depends which one I find first at a good price lol thank you!
 
This thread started out about the Ford 8", so in that spirit, here's "MY" opinion. lol

The Ford 8" is a decent rear axle. That said, you're going to have to "more than likely" narrow the housing to fit and relocate new spring perches. If that's the case and it probably will be, skip the 8" altogether and get you a 9". They can be had everywhere on the cheap. I had someone GIVE me one awhile back. Narrow THAT and put it under your car and it will be the last thing in the drive train that will break. Done and over with. Just for kicks I surf the local craigslist for them every now and then and they are all over the place for 200 and under for complete rear axle assemblies.
 
I have a Ford 8 inch, that is going to go into one of my cars. Have not started installing, yet. But by measurements, and talking to others who have done this swap, it is "almost" a bolt in if you use the correct 8 inch rear. Needs to be from a early V-8 Mustang, Comet, (and I think) Granada. It looks like the only "mod" is the U-joint. Most use a combination of a conversion joint, and a stock joint. I will be modifying the my driveshaft for a stock Ford U-joint. I got my rear housing from a junk yard with a section of driveshaft still attached.
One thing to watch for the 8 inch must be from a V-8, to get the 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern. The 6 cyl Fords got a 4 bolt pattern.
I got lucky on mine. Found the pumpkin at a swap meet. Had 4.30 gears and a spool for $200.00 Two days later went to the junk yard for something, and saw the drum to drum housing laying on the ground, just inside the gate. Got it for $100.00
 
Charrlie_S said:
I have a Ford 8 inch, that is going to go into one of my cars. Have not started installing, yet. But by measurements, and talking to others who have done this swap, it is "almost" a bolt in if you use the correct 8 inch rear. Needs to be from a early V-8 Mustang, Comet, (and I think) Granada. It looks like the only "mod" is the U-joint. Most use a combination of a conversion joint, and a stock joint. I will be modifying the my driveshaft for a stock Ford U-joint. I got my rear housing from a junk yard with a section of driveshaft still attached.
One thing to watch for the 8 inch must be from a V-8, to get the 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern. The 6 cyl Fords got a 4 bolt pattern.
I got lucky on mine. Found the pumpkin at a swap meet. Had 4.30 gears and a spool for $200.00 Two days later went to the junk yard for something, and saw the drum to drum housing laying on the ground, just inside the gate. Got it for $100.00
Click to expand...

If the Granada rear fits, then the MustangII, Pinto and Bobcat rears also fit. They are the same size. While the MustangII, Pinto and Bobcat are all 4 lug, cut to fit axles can be had for about 150 each.
 
Just went out and did an actual measurement of the 8 inch Ford, and 7 1/4 "A" body rears. This is just a tape measure/"eyeball" measurement, so could be off slightly.
7 1/4: spring perch 43 1/4 inch. Axle flange 57 inch
8 inch: spring perch 43 1/4 inch. Axle flange 56 1/2 inch
Does not take into consideration brake drum thickness, as I don't have drums on the housings.
Just found this list of rear end dimensions.
Suspension Measurements
 
Charrlie_S said:
Just went out and did an actual measurement of the 8 inch Ford, and 7 1/4 "A" body rears. This is just a tape measure/"eyeball" measurement, so could be off slightly.
7 1/4: spring perch 43 1/4 inch. Axle flange 57 inch
8 inch: spring perch 43 1/4 inch. Axle flange 56 1/2 inch
Does not take into consideration brake drum thickness, as I don't have drums on the housings.
Just found this list of rear end dimensions.
Suspension Measurements
Click to expand...
I knew they were close, but that's a bolt in in my book!
 
Dont waste your time or money, get a early b body rearend 1962-1963( 58-1/2) move the perches in, bolt in the early a body and get 1.25 off set rims and your ready to rock, did this to a 66 dart.
 
Slantsix64 said:
Dont waste your time or money, get a early b body rearend 1962-1963( 58-1/2) move the perches in, bolt in the early a body and get 1.25 off set rims and your ready to rock, did this to a 66 dart.
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That's fine if you can find one. Two year, one body style only. How many do you think are still out there?
 
Charrlie_S said:
That's fine if you can find one. Two year, one body style only. How many do you think are still out there?
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One guy parting out a 62 dart in san bernadino right now. Not really that rare, see b body rearends on craigslist 200-300 complete just need to know measurements.
 
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