69 dodge dart

Lots of bad info in this thread. The pinion needs to be centered in the TUNNEL. Different rearends have different pinion offsets even when the axles are the same length. Mustang 8.8 pinions are offset 1/2" with same length axles. Just because a stock rearend has a certain offset doesn't mean that you should duplicate it; The abody offset is too far to the right. I created an exactly centered pinion on an 8.8 with stock parts using an early ranger short axle on one side and a later (93-up) short axle on the other (Not for an A body). One inch axle length difference moved the pinion to the left 1/2"; centering it. If you want to use a stock 8.8 in an early a, then use a pre-93 Ranger. If you search for a short axle to do the narrowing, make sure it has the same size register for the brake drum. 7.5 axles fit (being the same 28 spline) , but the register is smaller. I prefer using 7.5 axles and brakes on a really narrow 8.8 to clear the springs. The backing plates measure farther apart on a 7.5 than an 8.8 (Of the same width) because the shoes and drums are narrower.