Your honest opinion

rustycowll69 said
8-1/4''s are ok, but in my opinion are definitely inferior to 8-3/4. I have 8-1/4''s in my jeeps and the whole axle shafts rolling directly on roller bearings is just a bad idea. They are probably ok in light duty service, but I wouldn't feel good about their longevity in a heavily loaded vehicle.
On the other hand, because of their use in jeeps for so many years, there are still a lot of parts available for them.

Based on what I've seen, as long as I am not drag racing it (check), not running more than 500ish hp through it (check), not running extra wide tires (check), and am only pushing a relatively light A-body (check) the 8.25 should be more than adequate and the appeal is the availability of them in junkyards today for parts such as lockers and disk brakes

GEO said
I'd keep the 8 3/4 and just get it narrowed, put in a sure grip and the gears you want. Do it right the first time, you already have the major parts there already

Recently heard of obtaining a 2005 jeep liberty 8.25 rear with the 3.7ish-4.10 gears with a locker and disk brakes that comes in the same width of a '65-69 b-body 8.75 at roughly the same cost of just buying a brand new locker for the 8.75. I agree that the 8.75 if far superior but I think it might be overkill for what I need. Bang for the buck, that Jeep Liberty rear seems hard to beat