8 1/4 to 8 3/4 Conversion. Has anyone done it?

[696969]

What is involved in the swap to 8 3/4? We're talking about a correct year for year B-Body size 8 3/4.

 

[PettyBlue72]

What year B-Body are you working on? All the B-Bodies from 63-74 used different width rearends. As for the swap, if you have the correct width rearend all you have to do is rebuild the 8.75 rear, replace the old leaf springs, shackles, hangers if needed and install the 8.75 in place of the 8.25.

Joe

 

[71charger_fan]

When I did mine, I had a small-u-joint 8.75 and just bolted it in in place of the 8.25. I reused the driveshaft and have been driving it that way for almost 20 years.

 

[Cranky]

The 8 3/4 needs a bit shorter drive shaft so if yours barely fits now, you might have to do something about that. I've seen cars come from the factory with shafts being as much as 1" different from car to car with the same kind of drive train.

 

[696969]

This is for a '69 Satellite. I've heard about the driveshaft being a different length.

 

[dvw]

Brake backing plates are identical. Pull the axles and the backing plates. That way you can use the E-Brake/ brake lines on the car and not even have to bleed the brakes. In most cases the stock drive shaft will fit.
Doug

 

[bigblock]

I have done this to my 70. Just swapped axle assy's. Used original springs,U bolts,Shock brackets and put rear disc brakes on while I was at it. Had to get a drive shaft cut to fit either way so didn't matter there.