Did all E - Bodies come with an 8 3/4" rear?

[Hopalong]

The reason I ask is cause a friend just picked up a 72 Charger with a factory 400, and it only has an 8 1/4" or whatever.  His 72 Cuda has the 8 3/4" (340 car), as does my 72 Challenger (318 car).  We just thought it was odd that a big block car would have such a weenie rear end.

[HemiOrange70]

B-Bodies I don't know about. The E body 70-71 6 cylinder and 318 had a 7 1/4 rear. All big block and 340's prior to 72 had 8 3/4 and after 71 (72 on) all had 8 3/4's. Some hemis and 440's came with the Dana

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Maybe someone swapped out the rear, as I would expect to see an 8 3/4" too. 



  Mike

[vinb]

No E-Body's ever came with a 8 1/4 or 9 1/4 rear....

[Hopalong]

Maybe someone swapped out the rear, as I would expect to see an 8 3/4" too. 



  Mike

I would think so too, but it's the snecond 72 Chager with a big block that did not come with an 8 3/4" rear.  Granted they were both 400 2 barrel cars with auto's, but still.

[Jacksboys]

Just to make sure that you are clear, a 72 Charger is a B-body, not an E-body.   

[Hopalong]

Right, but I was just wondering why my Challenger with a lowly ol' 318 2 barrel came with the beefy 8 3/4" rear while my firend's 72 Charger (with a lot more engine) didn't.  Was it just more economical to use one rear end (the 8 3/4") for all the later E - bodies since there were not as many made?  For that matter, wouldn't it have been easier to just make one style of rear end housing and modify it for the body it would be used for?

[Super Blue 72]

  Was it just more economical to use one rear end (the 8 3/4") for all the later E - bodies since there were not as many made? 

Thats makes sense for the '72-'74 Challengers as they prbably had the thought on the horizon of axing the E-bodies, just a guess seeing that they made minimal changes to the E-body line up for those years. 

[wiging19]

  I think it has more to do with the ability to customize the orders back in the 70's alot more than you can now.  You could buy your car set up like an R/T but have a 318 in it if you wanted.  Then have it insured for a 318 when in reality you've dropped a 440 into the engine compartment.  Each car could be unique compared to the others being made around it on the production line. 

[duodec]

B-Bodies I don't know about. The E body 70-71 6 cylinder and 318 had a 7 1/4 rear. All big block and 340's prior to 72 had 8 3/4 and after 71 (72 on) all had 8 3/4's. Some hemis and 440's came with the Dana

1971 318 cars could come with the 8-3/4 rear end; mine has the 741 chunk in it, and the axle is correct per the broadcast sheet.

[amcmike]

The car we are working on is originally a 2bbl 383 (converted to 4bbl) with a 8.25" (which royally sucks).

[wiging19]

The car we are working on is originally a 2bbl 383 (converted to 4bbl) with a 8.25" (which royally sucks).

Definately the ouch factor if you beef up the engine to what it is capable of being.   I've only witnessed friends blowing out their rear ends and I never want to be in that position.   Fortunately there are plenty of places to buy beefier rear ends new and used for these cars.  If your car is pretty much original I'd just put the rear in the corner and get something more beefier to use until your restore the car to what it originally came with.  In other words enjoy the car the way you want but be able to change it back to retain its unique original value if you want. 

[Hopalong]

Quick update, he broke 2 drivers side motor mounts on the car in a 2 month time.  2 barrel and all!  The rear still lives though.

[360 'CUDA]

Quick update, he broke 2 drivers side motor mounts on the car in a 2 month time.  2 barrel and all!  The rear still lives though.

Show him this thread from the Charger site

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,9006.0.html

Lots of good ideas