Author Topic: 8 3/4 Rear End  (Read 1008 times)

Offline money pit

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8 3/4 Rear End
« on: January 02, 2020 - 10:04:06 PM »
I have a 70 Barracuda that was originally a slant six.  I installed a 360. I currently have the smaller rear end.  I would like to put in a 8 3/4 rear end. I know E body rear ends are hard to find. I heard a B body rear end will fit with some modifications.  If so, what year will fit?  When I swapped the engine I learned the hard way all B body parts don't work on E bodies. I bought a 68-69 K member which bolted up perfectly but the steering box was not at the correct angle.   Thanks




Offline 70chall440

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Re: 8 3/4 Rear End
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2020 - 11:07:25 PM »
For sure 70 B body works, but I think 71/72 and perhaps 68/69 might fit (pretty sure they do). Google Mopar rear end widths, there is a chart online someplace. As far as what you will have to do to install it, you will more than likely have to remove and reinstall the spring pads which will require a welder. Its not difficult depending on your skill level. Basically this is what you do;

1. you cut the pads off the new rear end, pay attention where the center of the pad is aligned with rear end tubes (I usually draw or scribe a line down the tube in both directions 6-8". You will need some new pads (check Summit or Mancini racing).
2. Remove the old rear end
3. place the new pads onto the springs
4. insert the new rear end onto the pads
5. center the rear end, align the rear end with the center line you created and the new pads
6. reinstall the U bolts and snug them up good paying attention to the alignment of the rear end and the pads
7. you need to check the pinion angle, now this can be a cause of concern and discussion, I install mine with 3 degrees of down angle with the rear end under weight (put your jack stands under the rear end if doing this on the ground or use screw jacks if on a lift) use a cheap angle finder you can get from Harbor Freight, they are magnetic and have a red needle that swings back and forth.
8. once you have it set what you think its good, tack the pads to the rear end tubes, do not fully weld them
9. hook everything up and bleed the brakes
10. take the car out for a drive, DO NOT STAND ON IT, just drive it normal and listen/feel for any vibration. I would say to try and roll onto the power some but not hard. You are trying to see if the angle is way off or not. If it is, you will know.
11. Now you have 2 choices,
   A. you can weld up the pads if you are comfortable with the pinion angle
   B. if you are unsure or timid, then weld up the pads a little more so you have really good contact, then take it out and drive it again and get on it and see if you get any vibration. You can do this in step 10, but its up to you.

Another thing to look at when you start down this path is your U joint size, there are a number of sizes used by Mopar over the years, you don't need the biggest ones (1350), 7260 and 7290 are the most common ones used. I don't know what driveshaft you have but given you still have the original rear end I suspect you have the small ones, that said the B body rear end will most likely have larger U joints, there are several ways to deal with this ranging from replacing the pinion yoke to using combination U joints. If the engine is producing any decent power I would go with the 7290 joints on both ends which might require you to get a new drive shaft.

Hope this is helpful and I am sure I forgot something that someone else will catch.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline money pit

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Re: 8 3/4 Rear End
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2020 - 09:12:05 PM »
Your explaination was was excellent. Very detailed and most helpful.  I'll print out your response and start looking for a rear end.  Thanks so much. As always, you're the answer man.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 8 3/4 Rear End
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2020 - 12:21:47 PM »
You are very welcome. Take a look at this website, excellent information

 https://www.bigblockmopar.nl/tech/mopar-rearaxle-dimensions/
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline SlyGuy

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Re: 8 3/4 Rear End
« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2020 - 03:19:30 PM »
Hey Guys,
Was just reading your post, and I have a question (for 70chall440) about one of the points you mentioned. I already had the rear end built for my '72 Challenger build. Mine is a 489 stamped rear end, and I had 3.55 gears and sure grip installed. At the time, I wasn't educated enough to specify what u-joint I wanted and the guy who built it installed the big 1350 u-joint. So, is that a bad thing?

Also, since I am still fairly new to the forum, let me know if it is bad etiquette to hijack someone else's thread. Just figure if there might be an issue with using the 1350, its good info for us all.
Thanks

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 8 3/4 Rear End
« Reply #5 on: January 05, 2020 - 08:15:15 PM »
Slyguy - your answers (at least from me)

1. No going to the 1350 U joints is not a bad thing especially of you are or plan to make some decent power. That said, it isn't a great thing if originality is your thing. your third member (the 489) is the preferred one of the lot (741, 742 being the other 2).

2. as to the etiquette thing, personally I don't think its a big deal by asking a related question to the subject of the thread. There might be others who feel differently but I don't think you are going to have issues here. Normally I encourage new members to start a thread about their car and ask related questions or make comments there because it lends context overall and it gives you somewhat of a historical record of your car, but this definitely isn't a requirement or anything.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline 360 'CUDA

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Re: 8 3/4 Rear End
« Reply #6 on: January 05, 2020 - 09:48:17 PM »
Nah

The right rear end you need is the 1966 to 1970 B body rear end only.  Dr Diff makes a relocation kit that will bolt it right in with no welding required. The bonus is you get almost an extra inch inside wheel clearance.  For a 15" wheel for example 10" wide with 50/50 backspace fits perfectly.  295/50s work great in this example. 17" or 18" wheel work as long as you keep the 50/50 backspace.

https://www.doctordiff.com/e-body-offset-spring-hanger-shackle-kit.html

Offline 360 'CUDA

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Re: 8 3/4 Rear End
« Reply #7 on: January 05, 2020 - 09:58:35 PM »
For extra performance you can get the A-body extended spring kit. It moves the front eye of the spring back 2 inches.
That allows the use of the short front segment A-body SuperStock spring for extra traction and tune ability.

Of course that means you have to buy A-body springs or SuperStock springs...