Looking for no BS info on 8 1/4 rears

I've never done the dakota swap myself, but I have heard of it too. It is an 8 1/4


As for strength...nothings bullit proof.
8 1/4 FACTs:
1) the 8 1/4 is WAAAAAAY stronger than the 7 1/4 you have,
2)is already a big bolt diff so it is way cheaper to use than an 8 3/4
3)took the pounding of my big block moving a 5500 pound van for about 6 months before I broke the spider gears. Easily repaired. I think the factor there was weight, more than power. It did last longer the 727 in front of it did(2 months)
4)was used by member cuda66273 to run 12's in his a body cuda. REplaced with a dana so he could go 11's

In short, I wouldn't be afraid to use it in the least.