8 3/4" rear question

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niceolddart

niceolddart

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I've heard several times that an 8 3/4" rear assembly will fit (with minor spring perch & other mods of course) in an "A" body car, early to mid 70s Duster? What is your opinion on this? What is the best year to use if this is a fairly straight forward swap? Has anyone done this to there car?
 
I used a 70 and up B body rear because that's what I had. Completely rebuilt it, added a suregrip unit, and moved the perches in 1/2 inch on each end.

This is in my 74 Dart Sport, 15x10 inch wheels with a 5.5 inch backspace.

Paved Road Shot2 zoom.JPG
 
What do you mean you heard a 8 3/4” will fit in a A body? Of course they will , they came with them in some models from the factory.
 
Good info to know. I will save this for future reference. Thanks fellas!
 
You can use a B body but have to relocate the spring perches in 1/2" each side and use the correct backspacing on your rims.
 
In terms of the B Body units. The pre 70 (correct me if I am wrong) B body units are overall narrower than the later units.
I have one out of a 66 charger in my 74 duster and simply moved the perches in as mentioned above. Getting the right wheel backspace is really the key to making this work.
 
Just remember that A-body 8 3/4" rears all came with a 4" bolt pattern. '73 & up A-bodies rears had 4.5" if it had disc brakes up front. Driveshaft length may change and you may have to match up the u-joints. 7 1/4" rear u-bolts & shock plates are not compatible with an 8 3/4" rear also.
 
Some thing to also keep in the back of your mind, original "A" body units command top dollar. Finding one in a junk yard is slim to none. One possibility would be to pull a "C" body unit or a pick up truck unit; these are not as in demand as an "A" body unit. Send the housing out to be narrowed to "A" body width with new spring perches, after market axles with green bearings and bolt it in.

It's an idea.
 
Sorry folks, I forgot to say a "B" body 8 3/4" rear in an "A" body. Finding an "A" body rear is difficult & usually pretty costly, they are prized by many "A" body people. The "B" body rear is a better fit (and much easier to find) in a Duster, Demon, Dart Sport, because they have the slightly bulged rear fenders. I know you've seen them from the back. The front track is much wider than the rear track, by 2" or so in some cases. Not looking for originality just a proper look.
 
I see Abody 8.75s on Facebook all the time and not always costing an arm and a leg.... I installed an 8.75 and suregrip because I had one. Used 4.5in drums from a junkyard car and bought Yukon axles from Autozone and used a 25% off code... brake shoes and hardware from Rockauto. The Mullet was done at greatclips...
 
JBurch said:
Some thing to also keep in the back of your mind, original "A" body units command top dollar. Finding one in a junk yard is slim to none. One possibility would be to pull a "C" body unit or a pick up truck unit; these are not as in demand as an "A" body unit. Send the housing out to be narrowed to "A" body width with new spring perches, after market axles with green bearings and bolt it in.

It's an idea.
Click to expand...

You can have the axles cut and resplined and green bearings added. Thats what I have now because I F&^%$ up my measurerments on a pair of Strange Axles :BangHead:
 
JBurch said:
Some thing to also keep in the back of your mind, original "A" body units command top dollar. Finding one in a junk yard is slim to none. One possibility would be to pull a "C" body unit or a pick up truck unit; these are not as in demand as an "A" body unit. Send the housing out to be narrowed to "A" body width with new spring perches, after market axles with green bearings and bolt it in.

It's an idea.
Click to expand...
Well lucky me when I bought my 68 barracuda the guy informed me that it comes with a 8 3/4 rear end to swap into it. The day before I picked it up he asked me if a friend of his could buy it from me, long story short, I still have it. Found out after some measurements that it is a a body rear axle.
So all I need are proper u bolts? I'm guessing.
 
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