63rustydart
Member
Has anyone done one of these on their Dart? Just curious, I’m trying to broaden my options.
Nice. Do you know if it bolts right up or do I need to relocate the spring perches?Doing the same swap on 68 valiant
Thanks for the input! This helps a lot with my decision!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.
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?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.
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!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?
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
I knew they were close, but that's a bolt in in my book!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
I think I read, even the E-brake cables will work.I knew they were close, but that's a bolt in in my book!
That's fine if you can find one. Two year, one body style only. How many do you think are still out there?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.
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.That's fine if you can find one. Two year, one body style only. How many do you think are still out there?
I think I read, even the E-brake cables will work.