Anyone have a source or know what rear ends will bolt into my 73 Dart? Parts and labor are going run 600-800 bucks looks like. I would like to try and rebuild it myself, but that is one thing I've always been scared of. For that amount I should be able to find a complete car. So I've been looking at donor vehicles that may have the same 8.25 rear end. I know basically every /6 or 318 powered mopar product from 1973-1990 had them for the most part, with a few exceptions. What I don't know is what would be a direct swap? Should I stick with trying to find another A-body only? Or will something else work? Will a rear end out of one of the mid eighties diplomats or gran furys work? I only ask because I know where one is cheap!

Thanks!

Direct swap is A body only, 8.25 direct swap is 73-76 A body only, and not all A bodies got the 8.25.

Direct swap without major brake changes would be:

1973-1976 A-body with drum brakes (9" or 10" front brakes) or 5 on 4 pattern

7 1/4" rear axle 1967-1976 (9 bolt cover)
8 3/4" rear axle 1967-1972 (no rear cover)
Swap bodies include 1967-1969 Barracuda, 1967-1976 Valiant/Dart, 1970-1976 Duster, 1971-1972 Demon- (can include specialty models like Scamp)

1973-1976 with Disc Brakes or 5 on 4 1/2 pattern
7 1/4" rear axle (9 bolt rear cover)
8 1/4" rear axle (10 bolt roundish rear cover)


Just swapping gears is another ballgame all together...the larger the ring gear the more heavy duty the rear axle...but you will need to modify your driveline or get the matching driveline to make them work.

You forgot the Ford axles.

8/9' from a late '70s Granda/Monarch
8/9' from mid '60s Mustang/Falcon

Currie Enterprises makes a "Hot Rod" 56" wide 9" axle.

If the axle fits into a '65 Mustang it will work in your A-Body.

Welllll, how direct is "direct"?

Any swap to a 7 1/4 or 8 3/4 axle will also require replacing the shock plates and driveshaft. I thought we are talking about strictly "direct" bolt in replacement with no changes.

As far as rebuilding it yourself, it isn't that hard. You need some specialized tools, but it is definitely doable by the home mechanic.

And swapping to Ford or other axles is certainly doable, but aren't really a "direct" bolt-in proposition.

Frankly, these days it is often cheaper and easier to find a different rear axle than a factory A body to install. The Ford Explorer axle looks like a VERY attractive swap.

Custom built 9" axles start at $650 with axles. Third members and brakes are extra. You could but together a complete package for under $2000 and never worry again. The Seattle cragslist has a complete, rebuilt A-Body 8.25 with 3.55 gears and SureGrip for $750.

The sky is the limit, you can use just about any axle with a little "work".

I've wondered about Dana 44 here lately...

Scored a 1974 Duster yesterday for $600.00. Car is rough, but it is all there. Guy says the rear end was fine when he parked it, was having fuel issues. Has a bunch of good stuff on it, should be able to more than make my money back.