Fabbed Moser/Strange rearend vs. Beefed up 8 3/4

[adamsredlines]

Fabricated rearend or rebuilt old one?

I’m looking at doing the rearend in my Duster next month and am trying to decide which route to go.

Looks like a fabricated Moser rearend with brakes and axles is $1,800. Obviously still need a carrier and gears.

I assume that puts me right around $2,300 for the whole thing.

I assume I can do a 8 ¾ that’s strong enough for whatever I’ll ever throw at it, for considerably less. Is there anything to look out for in an 8 ¾, or castings to prefer or avoid?

I figure if I get the housing and add some good axles, bearings, limited slip and gears..I’ll be good for a mild 390 stroker and some spray.

Anybody care to weigh in?

 

[airwoofer]

Look in the classifiedws - there is a fabbed unit there at $2K. Setup for other than springs though.

 

[1970Duster]

If you have nothing at all and have to buy everything anyway, I'd look a lot hard at the strange Dana 60 (this rear will stand up to just about anything you throw at it plus leaves room for future power increases). Don't get me wrong, the 8.75 is a good rearend (I have one under my Duster) and the biggest advantage to the 8.75 over the Dana 60 is the fact you can swap out gears in about 20 mintues (great for racing then to swap gears and drive home).

 

[BrianT]

I agree with 1970 above. If you are starting with nothing, it's just as cheap to build the Dana. If you already have a 8 3/4 housing, you'd be a little ahead. But you wouldn't have the cool factor of that cover poking out from under your gas tank...

My custom width Strange 60 with True-trac upgrade and no brakes was $2300 shipped.

 

[80fbody]

I've been looking at the dana option. I do believe they're quite a bit heavier, though. Somewhere around 75lbs. Could be wrong.

 

[pettybludart]

Here,s a pic of the Dana housing I bought from BEAR,S Performance(Ontario,Canada)for $485.I had to have ends welded on,then peiced it together.I,m sure you can do the same for an 8 3/4 from Strange or Moser Eng.you can also buy complete,but will cost you.Good Luck.

 

[adamsredlines]

I'm starting with a tiny (unsure of size) stock rearend from my Duster. I'm just weighing options right now. I DONT want a 9"...call me goofy but not for me (I know nobody has suggested it yet).

What kind of power will a fabbed 8-3/4 take vs. a D60?

 

[adamsredlines]

The Strange Engineering D60 is looking pretty tempting.

Everything but the brakes for $1899

 

[BrianT]

I do believe they're quite a bit heavier, though. Somewhere around 75lbs. Could be wrong.

Yeah, right over the rear tires, where I'm gonna need it!!!

 

[crackedback]

It's not 75# more like 40# with a similarly outfitted 8.75

The fabbed housing looks cool. Is it necessary??? The weak link in 8.75 is the caps/ring gear deflection. A braced stout housing helps with the axle housing staying straight.

If you shop right and can do some of the work yourself, you can get a D60 out of a truck under the car for less than 1K.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I say choose the cheaper one and go. Either will handle what you wanna do.

 

[adamsredlines]

Anybody know the width of a stock Abody differential, from AXLE BEARING to AXLE BEARING...not hub to hub?