Rear end choices for my 65 dart gt

[dart165]

To preface things I have a 65 dart gt that I'm building with a 360/727 combo. I just bought all the components to convert the front end to a big bolt patern disc setup. Now I'm looking into rears. A few questions come to mind that I hope some of you guys can help me fIgure out.

1.) as far as 8&3/4 rears go, I have heard that 63 b-bodies are the closest match to the width of the rear thats in it... Anyone know that for a fact?


2.) the above question said, does anyone know the width of the 63-66 a- body 7&1/4 rears, drum to drum offhand?


3.) straying from the b-body rear option has anyone used a late model rear (a few of my hot roddin buddies have used late model explorer or grand Cherokee rears in their rides since they are disc brake & have a 5x4.5 bolt pattern.) I have to get a drive shaft cut for the car anyway, so I figured it might be worth upgrading in regards to the brakes. The car will be quick, but I'm not building a race car... Just a good cruiser.




Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks guys!

 

[65Vart]

I replaced my 7 1/4 rear end with an stock 8 3/4 A body (dart/duster) rear, drum to drum. It was slightly narrower and actually helped center my 245/60/14 in the stock wheel well.

 

[dart165]

wow, it was narrower?? For some reason i always figured they'd be a bit wider track. Thanks for the pic, and info

 

[pettybludart]

A-body 8 3/4 is 52 5/8 housing end to end,it,s also SBP unless somebody has added aftermarket axels(LBP)I changed from 7 1/4 to 8 3/4,now onto a Dana60.They,re all bolt in with proper width.
View attachment car pics 66 Dart 122.jpg

View attachment 66 Dart project Nov2010 362.jpg

 

[cudamark]

If you're looking to swap in an early B-body rear end, use the '65-7 version. It's the narrowest of the B-bodies that has the flange type axle shafts. You don't want to use the earlier ones as they have axle nuts, tapered axle shafts and a puller is needed to remove the hub and drum assy. If you're staying under 500 HP, I'd use a stock A-body rear and get aftermarket BBP axles and brakes for it. Everything else you'll find out there will need to be modified to fit the car. If you don't mind doing that, the sky's the limit!

 

[dart165]

Thanks for the advice! a few questions..

PettyBlueDart-
"A-body 8 3/4 is 52 5/8 housing end to end,it,s also SBP" Does that measurment also to apply to 73-5 abody cars? they were all BBP, right?

CudaMark-
By "use a stock A-body rear and get aftermarket BBP axles and brakes for it", you mean use the 7&1/4 rear? If so, who makes BBP axles and brakes for it? the car wont be anywhere near 500hp, it's got a mild 360.

Nobody has any thoughts on BBP disc brakes rear ends, huh?

 

[pettybludart]

Thanks for the advice! a few questions..

PettyBlueDart-
"A-body 8 3/4 is 52 5/8 housing end to end,it,s also SBP" Does that measurment also to apply to 73-5 abody cars? they were all BBP, right?

CudaMark-
By "use a stock A-body rear and get aftermarket BBP axles and brakes for it", you mean use the 7&1/4 rear? If so, who makes BBP axles and brakes for it? the car wont be anywhere near 500hp, it's got a mild 360.

Nobody has any thoughts on BBP disc brakes rear ends, huh?

First question.Are you gonna use SBP or LBP rims?73-up 8 1/4 rears(abit wider)were all LBP.For LBP axels you can get them from Moser,Strange,Dr.Diff.Brake sizes vary,but most use 10x2 1/2 inch brakes and drums(can buy from your local auto store)A-body 8 3/4 were all SBP,so alot of Mopar owners switch to the LBP axels for a variety of rim choices.Good luck.

 

[cudamark]

Sorry for the confusion.....I'm only talking 8 3/4 rears here. I don't even recommend the 7 1/4 for 6cyl cars. Any of the axle companies make the BBP axle shafts. Unless you're doing some serious road racing, don't waste your money on rear discs. Rear drums are just fine for the street and drag racing.