Rear End Questions

[69ROADRUNNER69]

Ok i have a 74 valiant coupe..

whats the differ of the B bodies rear ends than the A bodies? other than the bolt pattern?

I found a rear end that came out of a 70 plymouth sat. just wanted to know if its worth geting and doing the work to Put the rear end in and roll off?

[ehostler]

There is a great chart in the archives. Axle Dimensions

The quick and easy is no, this is not a direct fit. It's pretty close, but not direct.

'73 - '76 A body
Backing plate to backing plate - 52.625"
Spring perch center to center - 43.02"

'68 - '70 B body
Backing plate to backing plate - 54.937"
Spring perch center to center - 44.00"

As you can see, the B-body rear will push the tires out 1.65" on either side. The spring perches would need to be moved in .5" each.

Depending on your tire size, that 1.65" may push the tires into the sides of the wheel wells.

You could probably force the springs to fit on the perches, whitout relocating them, however, you begin putting stresses on them (and their hardware) that they were not designed for.

Also, you din't mention if they were the same type rear (8¾ B body replacing an 8¾ A-body) or different rears. If they are different rears, the driveshaft length will be different, as wel

[dwc43]

It is way better than your stock 7 1/4. I'd get it and it is only about an 1 1/2 wider in stance. The mount pads are off slightly too. You can spread he dprings apart or even better just grind out the hole so it will sit in there straight and level without spreading the springs apart.

[69ROADRUNNER69]

ok so my tires are going to stick out 1 1/2 on each side?? i dont know if i want give it the hillbilly look to it! should i just keep another look out for another rear end?? O yeah im puting a 8 /14 rear end

[ehostler]

Most people can't tell that your tires are not in the correct position. Offset rims will take care of that though.

Find where the rear tires are closest to the wheel housing. Measure that distance. If it is less than 2", you really don't want to do this (without offset rims).

Also, fi you currently have the 7¼ and are going to the 8¼, the DS will need to be 1 alittle shorter, as the nose on the 8¼ is 1.6" longer than the nose of the 7¼. If you don't shorten the DS, you risk destroying the output shaft of the tranny, the output shaft bearing, and/or the output shaft s