8.25 rear end problems!

[wagnerjw]

Recently took my 74 Duster into a shop to swap the factory 2:73 gears out for 3:55's. My duster has the original 8.25 rear end and I thought it would be an easy trouble free swap of the pinion and ring gear. Come to find out today that the ring gear fits fine but the pinion doesn't come even close to hitting the teeth on the ring gear? The guy doing it says he's never seen one do this and he is suggesting I may need a new carrier. Anyone ever had this problem or know how to fix this? Thanks.

[dodger1]

New one on me, but these guys will probably know - Ian's been doing this stuff since the seventies, when we both worked at a Volvo store. He did the 8 1/4 in mine plus added an Auburn l.s. ten years ago. No issues.
http://www.iwerearendsonly.com/

[dakman1]

Not positive , Though I do believe you do need a new carrier since your swapping from 2.73

[John Kunkel]

If it had 2.73 gears, the carrier should work; the carrier ratio breaks are 2.45 and down (numerically) and 2.56 and up.

There are 1/8" spacers for the ring gear but that's never a good idea.

[wagnerjw]

Originally Posted by John Kunkel

If it had 2.73 gears, the carrier should work; the carrier ratio breaks are 2.45 and down (numerically) and 2.56 and up.

There are 1/8" spacers for the ring gear but that's never a good idea.

He was using spacers until he didn't think he should use anymore and it still wouldnt line up. Do you think that the pinion I got could be the wrong one? I got it at a swap meet and the guy said it came out of a early 90's Dakota. I questioned him a bit and he said a 8.25 is a 8.25 and they are all interchangeable.

[JVMopar]

Maybe you are mistaken and had 2.23 gears not 2.73. The ring and pinion from a dakota should bolt right in as long as your using the right carrier.

[wagnerjw]

Originally Posted by JVMopar

Maybe you are mistaken and had 2.23 gears not 2.73. The ring and pinion from a dakota should bolt right in as long as your using the right carrier.

So what you are saying is the 2.23 uses a different carrier? My problem is how do I know what carrier to get now. I was told it had 2.73's or 2.76's but it may have a higher gear ratio. The thing seems that it has no top end so that would make sense. I've been looking at different carriers online and I'm lost at which one to get. Thanks for the input. Jeff

[JVMopar]

That's where you have to be carefull. Some people will just list that the carrier is for a 8.25 and not what gear sets it's for. 2.45 and numerically lower uses one carrier because the pinion gear is so big the ring has to be moved further out. 2.56 and up uses another carrier because the pinion is smaller. Just gotta make sure you get the right one.

[John Kunkel]

The 8 1/4" is a tricky rear end, not only are there carrier/ratio differences but year differences also. Even when using all of the correct parts some 3.55 installations require grinding on the housing...one gear supplier has a diagram of where to grind on their website.

[wagnerjw]

Originally Posted by John Kunkel

The 8 1/4" is a tricky rear end, not only are there carrier/ratio differences but year differences also. Even when using all of the correct parts some 3.55 installations require grinding on the housing...one gear supplier has a diagram of where to grind on their website.

You guys were right. Found out it had 2.23 gears not 2.76 like the original owner had thought. I ordered a posi carrier just to bypass going back to the one-wheel wonder. Thanks for all the help, you guys are the best. Long live the Mopars!