7 1/4 to 8 3/4 swap question?

[5258]

Swapping to 8 3/4 in my 69 Dart, current set up is 9in drums, My question is can I change out the rears w/o disconnecting the brakes, I really don't want to get into the brakes yet. Can I just remove the 7 1/4 axles pull them, leave the brake hard ware on the backing plate, drill the bottom hole in the 9in backing plate and then assy to the 8 3/4. I know the other 4 bolts line up on the axles, so in thought it should work.

Thanks
5258

 

[Keith Mopar]

Yes that sounds like it should work as long as that 7 1/4 is a SBP rear to begin with. I think that the backing plates should bolt up to the 8 3/4 and slide the 8 3/4 axles in and slide the old drums on.

 

['64 Cuda]

If the 8 3/4 has brakes on it, I think it would be less work to hook up & bleed the new brakes than to try to drill holes in backing plates that are still hooked up to the car. No axle removal necessary.