leaf springs

[furydan]

So I exploded the spider gears in my 7 1/4 rear end. I have found an 8 3/4" rear end from a 69 dodge dart. I wish to put this in my 65 barracuda. My question is, will the leaf springs from the 69 dart fit the 65 barracuda? I took my 7 1/4 out of the barracuda and found the bottom leaf of the passenger side spring pack was broken. So I need new springs, I was hoping that the springs from the 69 dart would fit. I doubt they will, but hopefully someone on this list will know. Also on a similiar note. will I need to do anything to the drive shaft to fit it to the new rear end when swapping from a 7 1/4 to an 8 3/4?
Dan

 

[abodyjoe]

yes the springs should fit. your drive shaft is gonna need to be shortened.

 

[furydan]

what's the best way to figure out how much to shorten the driveshaft? Is there some kind of spec sheet for this or a book that shows how short to make it?
Dan

 

[Optik]

Do a search of the forums and you will find your driveshaft answer. I believe that it needs to be shortened 2.25 inches.
-Tim

 

[cudamark]

The Dart spring will work fine. Hopefully they're the 6 leaf version. Get the shock plates and U-bolts along with the rear end. They're bigger than the 7 1/4 ones.

 

[memike]

What engine are you running ? and has it been a V8 all it's life ?

 

[abodyjoe]

what's the best way to figure out how much to shorten the driveshaft? Is there some kind of spec sheet for this or a book that shows how short to make it?
Dan

put the rear in and measure how long it needs to be.

 

[furydan]

it has a 10.5 to 1 compression 318 with a 4 speed...was an original 273 2bbl 4 speed car. It did a good job busting up the 7 1/4 spider gears. One kid said yes to the burn out, the other said don't do it...I did it! Puh-pow!

 

[pishta]

I did the same thing...light it up, shut it down! And the smell when I opened it up, ooof!

 

[65Vart]

2 1/4 needs to come off the DShaft.

 

[chryslerfat]

These guys got it 2 1/4 inches need cut off.