8 1/4 rear end strength?

[brads70]

Considering it will probably take me 2 years to scrounge together $3k vs 1 year for $2k...

Seems like a big deal to me.

 I hear ya. 

[aris_unlimited]

With a 400 hp small block, even force inducted, I think your Dana 60 plan is overkill, especially on a street car. The stock Dana axles and sure grip will be plenty strong. If your a street car, there also is little reason to change out brakes as well.  I'd think with initial purchase, size to fit and basic rebuild, you could come in under $2k for a conversion.

That may be true, but one of the "must have" parts that I demand I have in whichever rear end I put in is a truetrac. So add $500-600...

[Katfish]

Well I wouldn't bother with a 8.25, at least get a 8.75.

[brads70]

Where are you at? I assume no where near me?

[aris_unlimited]

Well I wouldn't bother with a 8.25, at least get a 8.75.

It'll cost me just as much to put one of those in as it will any other non-original rear end.

Where are you at? I assume no where near me?

I'm in utah.

[734406pk]

Go with what you have. If you have an engine that makes enough power to blow it up, go bigger.

[brads70]

It'll cost me just as much to put one of those in as it will any other non-original rear end.
I'm in utah.

Bummer If you lived closer I could set you up with my old 8 3/4

[aris_unlimited]

Bummer If you lived closer I could set you up with my old 8 3/4

Yeah, and I imagine shipping on that would be horrendous.

[brads70]

Yeah, and I imagine shipping on that would be horrendous.

Yes , I'm sure it would be. 

[HP2]

Plenty of yards in Utah and a sizeable enthusiast community. Should be able to find either a 8.75 or Dana that won't cost a fortune if you search diligently and kick start the friend of a friend network.

[aris_unlimited]

You've obviously never been to utah. Everybody here seems to think their particular junk is worth it's weight in gold. Did find a couple on the local classifieds out of f350's....for $700. Not a great price when I still have to pay for all the work and parts after that to make it work.

[HP2]

I picked up a 2 door post '70 Road Runner for $3k out of Orem, which seemed pretty reasonable to me despite being a shell. I've also seen some big stashes of old cars off US 50 between I70 and I15. There are also another stash or two off I80 just over the Wyoming line.

Granted, I've never tried to see if any of them would be willing to let go of cars or parts and at what cost. I'm just thinking they are out there somewhere if you start shaking the tree.

[aris_unlimited]

Doing some out of the box thinking. My father in law has a friend that has a GM 14 bolt. I could toss that in my 72 GMC pickup, and take the dana 60 out of that for my satellite. Just got to wait for him to toss us a price.

[Katfish]

Double the work?  It's the incidentals that add up.

[aris_unlimited]

Yeah but I had planned on doing a 14 bolt swap anyways, if the 14 bolt has the right gearing and it's not too far off on width, I could toss that in with little to no work. At least until I have the funds to work on it.