When were the 8 3/4" rears available for the 1965 A-Body cars

[69 Cuda 440]

The early and mid-year production A-Body cars were not available with
the 8 3/4" rear, only the 7 1/4" unit.

The 7 1/4" unit, was available with 3.91 Gears, and was the desired choice for the 273/235 HP 'High Performance' engine.

But, obvious destruction of many of the 7 1/4" Rear end units, lead
Mopar to offer this 8 3/4" package in the late-production 1965 Models.

 

[65 Dartman]

I parted out a 65 Dart GT 273/235, 4 speed and factory AC - build date 7/23/65 with an 8.75 - 7.41 case 3.23 non-SG.

 

[zigs]

I parted out a 65 Dart GT 273/235, 4 speed and factory AC - build date 7/23/65 with an 8.75 - 7.41 case 3.23 non-SG.

Yes 8 3/4 's were offered in 65 A- bodies 318 Hi Po's 4 speeds and tow packages . Look up 8 3/4 specs.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Zig,,,,,,,No 318's in a 1965 A-Body

Only late-production 1965 A-Body cars could get them, or warranty replacements for
the 'destroyed' 7 1/4" units in the V-8 only.

 

[65dartcharger]

The 8 3/4' rear end became availible in May of 1965 according to a Chrysler ad I have.

 

[dart4forte]

The 8 3/4's started being introduced in early 65 as a warrenty repair. Chrysler was getting large number of 4 speed a bodies coming in with broken rear ends which led them to issue a letter out to all dealers that rear ends broken under warrenty were to be replaced with 8 3/4 rear ends. I have a copy of the letter. They didn't start installing the 8 3/4 on the assembly line until late in the production year which was most likely May of 65. I'm not sure how they handled warrenty repairs as far as broken rear ends in automatic cars.

 

[zigs]

Zig,,,,,,,No 318's in a 1965 A-Body

Only late-production 1965 A-Body cars could get them, or warranty replacements for
the 'destroyed' 7 1/4" units in the V-8 only.

Your Right.

 

[pbiggs]

Just wondering......if Chrysler knew by spring 1965 that the 7 1/4's were breaking with far too much regularity behind 273 HP engines a 4 speed transmission, why did both of my 66 Barracudas S 4 speed cars come from the factory with 7 1/4" rearends? Especially since factory letters to dealers in early 65 advised replacing busted 7 1/4's warranty rears with 8 3/4 replacements. Go figure.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

The only possible reason for 1966 273/235 HP Formula S cars getting the
7 1/4" Rear-End unit.

Lack of inventory of the 8 3/4" Rear-End unit on the assembly line.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

From the Mopar Guru,

Part I

The 1965 A-Body cars came equipped with the 7 1/4" Rear-End Unit.

The 273 'Commando' engine cars came quipped with 3.23 Gears (Standard), whether
a Manual or Automatic Transmission was eqipped.

The Sure-Grip Posi unit was an option, or available as part of the Suspension Package.

The Formula S package did not come through with the Sure-Grip Posi unit for the 7 1/4"
as part of standard equipment.

3.55 Gears were available as a factory option.

3.91 Gears were a 'dealer only' installed option.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part II (later)

The 8 3/4" for 1965.

 

[pbiggs]

The only possible reason for 1966 273/235 HP Formula S cars getting the
7 1/4" Rear-End unit.

Lack of inventory of the 8 3/4" Rear-End unit on the assembly line.

Hmmmm...I'd be willing to bet a lot of 66 273 HP 4 speed cars came from the factory with 7 1/4's. Was the 8 3/4 an option? If so, what was the order code? I always thought ordering the trailer tow package, which included the heavy duty read end, was the only way to get it on a A body car.

My two 66 S's were assembled on 9/22 and 10/14 respectfully....was the factory assembly line really short on 8 3/4's for 3 weeks?

 

[69 Cuda 440]

pbiggs,

Don't forget, Chrysler had a 'labor strike' at the beginning of the
1966 production year.

Not sure on the time frame, but that is why they couldn't get
the 426 Street Hemi out to the 1966 Winternationals in January 1966.

Mopar had some bizarre reasons for doing things, like the
Rally Suspension Package and Formula S Package.