Let’s talk about the 8-1/4” diff

[jos51700]

I just pulled a blown one out of a Dakota. I think the previous owner's kid liked to do one-legged burnouts. The suregrip-equipped one in my blue Dakota has been beat on regularly and seems to be solid.

 

[go-fish]

The 8 3/4 axle was out of production by 1975. The upgrade from the 8 1/4" axle was the 9 1/4".

My 76 D100 was an HD package. Had a 9-1/4 and a 318 with a 360 4 barrel intake. Ive read supporting information saying HD's came with a 360 4 barrel intake but nothing that is straight from Chrysler Corp. Just internet chatter. It was a Cal Trans truck with an Adventurer package too. I was told it would have been a supervisors truck being a short bed and the fact that it is in better than "work truck" shape.