To answer the questions, that was the rear Before the shims, and yes it is an 8 3/4 rear. I don't have a good pic of the angle after, but the angle should be the opposite of what the angle is at the opposite end of the driveshaft. In other words, If you have a -3* at the pinion you should have a +3* at the rear of the tranny, or as close as you can get.