rearend questions, also

i have a 47 dodge 1/2 ton, i am about to start locating a rearend. if at all possible, i would like to keep it all mopar. what is available and what would fit. i would prefer not to cut axles and tubes and keep as close to original width as possible.

Get out your tape measure and check your stock piece against thise chart:
http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/reference_enginetrans8.php

There are also some useful axles in the later Jeeps.

You will have to move/remove spring perches and re-weld. If your stock springs are 1½" or 1¾" you can get new perches at your local trailer supply store.

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if your handy with a torch and grinder you can make new perchs out of square tubing

Dodge 8 3/4 would be your best bet

Look for a Challenger or 'Cuda in the wreckers, if you want a bulletproof 8 3/4 rear.
Depending on what power you want, a lighter axle might work, something out of a '80-up medium size V8 car, Magnums, Swingers, etc.

thanks guys, i appreciate the replies. wayfarer, are you in roseville, ca? i happen to work in the fine city.

mikes686 said:

thanks guys, i appreciate the replies. wayfarer, are you in roseville, ca? i happen to work in the fine city.

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Naw, Central Ory-Gun. The Roseville dealer just has a very handy web site that I like to use as reference.

If your truck is mostly stock you don't need to spend the extra money on an 8¾ assembly, the 8¼ will work fine as long as you get the gear ratio that you need.

The 8.8 Explorer axles seem to be in good supply these days and from what I hear plenty cheap. Yeah, its a Ford but has the right bolt pattern.
Here are some Ford numbers, both 8.8 and 9":

65-66 Mustang 57.25 inches
77-81 Granada/Versailles 58.50 inches
64 Falcon 58.5 inches
66-69 Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane 59.25
67-70 Comet, Cougar, Mustang, 59.25 inches
71-73 Mustang 61.25 inches
70-73 Ranchero, Fairlane 9" 61.25 inches
70-71 Torino 61.25

72 Ford Van 3/4 ton 68 inches
73-86 65.25 inches

57-59 Ranchero and station wagon 57.25 inches (narrowest 9" housing)
66-77 Bronco 58 inches but has 5-on-5 1/2 inch diameter bolt circle

79-93 Mustang 7.5 and 8.8 57 inches
Lincoln Mark7 LSC, SVO Mustang and Fox Body Saleens use a 59.5 inch wide rear axle
94-98 Mustangs use a 58.5 inch wide rear axle
99 and newer Mustangs use a 59 7/8 inch wide rear axle
.

well, as it turns out, i got a dana 60 from one of my trash customers (i'm a garbage man) out of a late 50's ford 3/4 ton p/u. as well as a front axle. this makes me happy, as parts are a bit more available for fords than dodges. my neighbor gave me a 360 mopar that has been in his way for a while and an old buddy of mine found a set of 340 2.02 heads that were gathering dust for the last several years. i picked up 3 holley 94's, now i need to located an intake manifold for 3X2.