EDIT, just found out its a 8 3/4, not a 8 1/4 To start off, if there is a already a post along these lines, I cant find it, so shoot it my way. I cant get the search to recgonize "8.25" or "8 1/4" as one item. Ive got a 53 studebaker champion thats had a 327/th350 swaped in, but still has the stock dana 27 rear that leaks and needs the brakes re-done, so I just want to swap in a stronger rear end. I found a 1962 Chrysler 8.25, thats the correct width and bolt pattern that was taken out of a running car. Can someone school me on the in's and out's/strengths and weak points of these? Thanks, Cory Or if any of yall have an affordable 8" or 9" ford thats 51" between the backing plates that would be sweet too....
The 8 1/4 for a Mopar,Is like the 10 bolt for a Chevy.It's a good reliable differential.They have the strength to handle a bit of horse power.Are you sure it's a 8 1/4? That diff came out in the mid 70's.What gearing does it have?
Us mopar guys kinda stay away from 8.25 diffs because it's needs to be rebuilt to change the gears, we usually go for the 8 3/4 which is way stronger and , with the exchangable carrier , easy to change gears. I also stay away from mopar diffs pre 65 since they have that miserable keyed axle/rear hub setup. You're better off looking for a 65-67 B body 8 3/4, or if you're lucky, find an A-body 8 3/4 which are the narrowest but hard to find since everybody wants one.
Im wondering if there are 2 different 8.25 rears that chrysler madem, because like frank dog said I have seen some refrences that said they were not made untill 72ish. But it is definatly a 8.25 chrysler product(it was behind a 225 6cyl/904 auto) I know the 8 3/4 would be a better choice, but I havent been able to find any(in the right width/price range). The 8.25 should hold a mild 327/th350 with bias plies, right? And those keyed axle/drum set ups are a real pain in the ass, and I would rather not have them, but the studebaker had those on there to begin with, and since I havent come up with any better options, Im willing to deal with those.
A Ford Maverick 8" should be about perfect for your purposes. But, PLEASE, discontinue using the backing plate to backing plate measurement. It is virtually useless when compared to the far more accurate "wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface" as that is far more accurate when trying to replace an rear end. Of course, if one is willing to, or planning to, run different wheels on the new rear end you may be able to use a different WMS to WMS distance, but even in that case it is more useful, in my opinion, to determine what that distance needs to be with the tires and wheels you are planning to use. As for the Mopar 8.25, I am unfamiliar with the earlier models you ask about. I do know something about the later versions as used widely in Jeep, Dodge car and truck and rear drive Chryslers. The narrowest of these is probably too wide for your Stude, but they are a decent rear end as built. Being the "Salisbury" style, with the integrated carrier housing, they are more difficult to change gears under the car, should that be an issue. Ray
My 63 Dodge with a slant 6 and PB auto came with an 8.75 rearend. Does your rear have an inspection cover over the back or do you need to remove the front chunk to see the gears? 8.25 has the cover while the 8.75 rear has a front loading chunk like the 9" Ford. I'm also doubtful that the later 8.25 had keyed axle flanges...BUT I don't know for sure!
I think there is some confusion about the earlier integral carrier rear ends being 8.25" models. There were no doubt similar axle housings, but I think they are smaller, maybe 7" or 7.5" units. I do not know if they had the tapered/keyed axle shafts or not. But, to my knowledge, the later true Corporate 8.25" was never produced with taperedd/keyed axle shafts. Also, if or when sourcing from a Jeep product, you have to be careful you are getting an 8.25 as many Jeep Wranglers and Cherokees were built with Dana 35 rear axle assemblies and they look similar but are not as strong as the 8.25. Ray
Take a look at 90's regular jeep cherokee. availabel in 3.55 ratio and if you find a 2wd, it usualy limited slip also. With consideration to the post above, regarding Mopar vs Dana.
I just found out is a 8 3/4(still from a 62). I will try to post pics, but my other computer crashed, and Im trying to get stuff moved over to my new one
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