Early 8 3/4?

[Greenmachine225]

Ok guys so here’s my situation, I’m 18 getting ready to swap a v8 in my 71 duster and I need an 8 3/4. I found one but it’s out of what I believe is a 1950 dodge desoto, so I was wondering if the housing is worth getting and shortening to A-body specifications. I don’t have a lot of money so I can’t buy a new diff and it’s almost impossible to find A-body 8 3/4’s so I just want to know if this housing is worth getting or if I should just pass. Thanks, Carson

 

[5.7 hemi]

I’m not sure s 50’ will work, but a 58’ and newer will.

 

[Tooljunkie]

You are gonna hate those axles. Drums need a special puller to remove,no provision for parking brake as the old stuff used a driveshaft brake. So if it newds to pass inspection keep that in mind.
Better off with a ranger diff then.

 

[thesiren74]

Housing yes, you just weld on newer style ends. Or look for an 8 1/4

 

[Tooljunkie]

Yup,8-1/4” plentiful and cheap...
I have 2 housings,but axles are all toast.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

If I recall those were called 8 3/8" . Everything on them is different than the 8 3/4". Those were pre 56 models

 

[jas0162]

If that is the original 1950 rear end it is not an 8 3/4.

 

[Jadaharabi]

They are not 8 3/4 inch rear axles. But they did come with 391 gears in some of them. If you want to use the whole rear axle. They did have the 4 1/2 bolt pattern on them. But I believe they use bolts to hold the wheels on not studs and nuts.

 

[d55dave]

That is not an 8 3/4. The banjo style rear in 50s mopars is actually an 8 1/4" ring gear. You will notice that the u joint mount is also different. Brake parts will be hard to find and there is no e brake accommodations as the e brake was on the trans output.

You dont want that rear. There are many better options such as ford explorer 8.8 and more "modern" 8 1/4s.