I was thinking about changing rear gear ratio. Will Dakota gears bolt into my 72 Valiant 7 1/4" rear?

I've gotten alot of 'probably' + 'maybe' but no definate yes or no...any idea's where I can find out for sure?

The last Hollander's published guide shows that the standard chrysler 7 1/4" rear end ring gear and pinion is swappable between the years and the 1987-1991 Dakota 4x2 with the "square cover" and the front axle in 4x4.
That being said Randy's Ring and Pinion comments that there are some differences in the case and spiders that make the 9 bolt cover rears incompatible with the newer components...

This is probably the best driving reason to upgrade to an 8 1/4"...at least you know you are good for everything to 1997- then they changed the diff case and axle splines...

-D.Idiot

I tried pulling three different Dakota 7 1/4 gear sets and in each case the cross-shaft lock-pin broke off keeping me from pulling the axles and diff carrier. I also tried installing 3.23 gears I bought off a board member, but for the life of me I couldn't get the yoke on the pinion. I then bought a 3.21 geared 8 1/4 and shorter drive shaft. If I could have lived with 3.73 gears I would have used a Ford Explorer 8.8.

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Joshua