Actually, the 8 1/4 used 27 spline axles through 1996. I put earlier (pre 1991) axles in my '96 Dakota as part of my 5 lug conversion. The '97 and later 8 1/4 has 29 spline axles.

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Joshua

wasn`t sure of the years, i haven`t scraped anything that new yet but there are alot off pre 96 getting around here now, thats life with salt on the roads

Well, as you can see my '96 is hardly scrap!

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Joshua

no she in good shape,my 97 is in need of a face lift.

That's a nice looking GenII. Good work keeping her up like that.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

I don't know if the person is still reading this who wanted to swap, however, you gotta ask yourself what's the purpose of the car? If it is a show car that wants the american v8 look, or if your whole goal is to do nothing but go fast a swap is entirely worth it. It doesn't take much talent to spueeze 350hp out of a 318/360, just money. Also, most parts for a v8 swap you will have to install for a hi-pro six anyway. My only arguement is for some people it takes a lot of time finding parts and cleaning them not to metion it takes money to go fast ie. strong parts / parts broken. But for some people it's the challenge of doing 350hp with a slanter (It's hard) and the fact that if taught me a lot more than bolting together what I call a kit engine (sbc). So what does it take to swap in a v8? Nothing but the ultimate goal of the car, and the rising prices of gas.