Very surprised that Dr.Diff would say their is only 1 housing for the 8 1/4. 1973 thru 1975 used a carrier race that had a diameter of 2.891. 1976 and latter differentials used a carrier race diameter of 3.062. Some of the late 1975's had the larger size.
Changes were made over the years, but his assessment is accurate; inasmuch as in any given year/application there was only one housing, regardless of the gear ratio.
You can argue all the nuances: different housings for A bodies, B bodies, fullsize trucks, vans, Dakotas, Jeep XJs and Liberties, with and without snubber mounts, and on and on. But the pinion location never changed- that was his point.
