Info on 8 1/4 axle.

[Richard Davis]

Someone on Facebook pasted a picture of an 8 1/4 rear end on a pre-72 B Body. According to the rear axle guide 8 1/4 rear ends were installed on trucks and 72 and later B Bodies. The Service Manuals only show 7 1/4, 8 3/4, and Dana's on B Bodies, so I was confused. I saw that I also have an 8 1/4 on my 69 Coronet. After that, several people have stated they too had seen 8 1/4 on 318/904 B Bodies in 1969.

I was wondering how many other people have 8 1/4 rear ends in their pre-72 B Bodies. Since the manual is no help, how do I tell what my ratio is and is there another source for information on these axles.

 

[pnora]

I had many 69 B-Bodies with the 8 1/4. Never saw a 74 or older truck with one. All trucks were 8 3/4. As far as ratio there should be a tag. Or you can pull the cover and count the teeth.

 

[Rusty knuckles]

My 71 chargers have 8-1/4's. Both 318 cars

 

[69_Coronet]

My 69 Coronet 500 has an 8 1/4. It is a 318 car. Cheers!

 

[Vaanth]

Since the manual is no help, how do I tell what my ratio is and is there another source for information on these axles.

The Chrysler 8-1/4" rear axle was introduced during the 1969 model production run B-bodies and C-bodies with 318 engines. The only available original axle ratio for the 1969 8-1/4" axle was 2.71:1. The 8-1/4" rear axle is a Salisbury type assembly and differs from the banjo type 8-1/4" rear axle used in 1957 to 1962.

Due to the late introduction in the 1969 production run, the 8-1/4" rear axle is not included in the 1969 service manuals. Some information is in the 1969 Service Highlights and the 1970 service manual is suitable for service operations on the axle.

The axle continued in production and expanded in use over the model lines. Additional gear ratios and Sure-Grip was later added to the axle offerings. It was available after 1969 in the following applications depending on other equipment and duty ratings:
- 1970-1979 B-bodies
- 1970-1978 C-bodies
- 1973-1976 A-bodies
- 1976-1980 F-bodies
- 1980-1983 J-bodies
- 1978-1988 M-bodies
- 1979-1981 R-bodies (8-1/4" axle standard)
- 1971-later B-series vans
- 1972-2000s D/W-100 and D/W-150 series trucks (it was more broadly available after 1974 when the larger 9-1/4" axle was introduced to replace the 8-3/4" axle)
- 1975-1993 AD/AW series sport utility vehicles (Ramcharger, US)
- 1975-1980 PD/PW series sport utility vehicles (Trailduster)

From 1969 Service Highlights:

FYI...