Sure grip identification

[68chargerpilot]

I have a couple of old junk yards within short driving distance of my house. One is Mopar only. Gonna go look for a 8 3/4 sure grip center section. It's one thing I don't have and wish I did. It's not gonna be a deal breaker but hey why not if it's convenient.

How, other then the fender tag can you identify one from the outside if it's even possible?

Unless I get lucky and they tell me "sure it's over in the corner".....probably not.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

D91 Sure grip diff I got that off a website.. May not be accurate.

 

[Cranky]

If the car is up off ground, turn one wheel (if it has wheels) and see if the other spins in the same direction. If no wheels but has axles, you can still turn one and if you have someone with you, they can spot the other axle to see which way it turns. It is possible that the other axle may not turn at all and that too will usually tell you it's not a Sure Grip.

 

[YY1]

unless it's been removed (somewhat likely) an SG unit should have about a 1.5" sheet metal tag under one of the carrier nuts.

That tag should also have the gear ratio stamped on it.

I got lucky on the last parts car I bought- it had an unmolested SG axle in it, which kind of surprised me as it was the 72 Charger SE.


...where in SC is there an all Mopar JY?

That could be a fun weekend road trip for me.

 

[Cranky]

I've pulled a lot of SG's out that didn't have a tag. Seems either it was installed after the car was manufactured or someone changed the oil or had work done and whoever did the job left the tag off. Heck, even I did that one time on my own car when I swapped gear ratios. Had it all buttoned back up and then noticed the tag laying on the ground and was in a hurry to get going so I just threw it in the tool box with it stayed.

 

[YY1]

Obviously look for factory performance cars as donors, but so did everyone before you.

Look also at trucks and station wagons.

I've got several 3.91 and 3.55 SG chunks from A100 trucks and vans, even 6 cyl models.

 

[SublimeSixpack]

This will be obvious to most, but when you try the tire/wheel rotation check, make sure the shifter isn't in Park if it's an automatic transmission.
And if vehicle has both rear tires on the ground and you are only able to lift one, if when you rotate that tire you feel significant resistance there's a good chance the diff. is SureGrip.

 

[SublimeSixpack]

Obviously look for factory performance cars as donors, but so did everyone before you.

Look also at trucks and station wagons.

I've got several 3.91 and 3.55 SG chunks from A100 trucks and vans, even 6 cyl models.

And Vans too. Edit: Sorry, I missed where you mentioned Vans.

 

[Cranky]

Found one years ago where both tires turned together.....but it turned out to be an open diff that was all rusted up inside lol. Oh well.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

If the car is up off ground, turn one wheel (if it has wheels) and see if the other spins in the same direction. If no wheels but has axles, you can still turn one and if you have someone with you, they can spot the other axle to see which way it turns. It is possible that the other axle may not turn at all and that too will usually tell you it's not a Sure Grip.

Also, if the other wheel turns the OPPOSITE direction, it's not a sure-grip. Or, I believe you can turn the pinion yoke with the car up in the air & sure-grip rear ends will have both wheels turning forward (when you turn the yoke counter-clockwise).... SOMEBODY PLEASE JUMP IN IF I'M WRONG HERE.

 

[68chargerpilot]

I just came back from from Vicks classic auto parts. About 5 miles from my house in chesnee sc. He isn't Mopar only but does have a bunch of old stuff. Found some stuff that would be interesting to restore. Saw a few coronet 4 door 440s. That's what they had on them at least. A bunch of A bodies. Even saw a 2 door Signet in there. Some 50s era too. Most of the cars that I figured would have better rear ends, well they were already pulled. Did find a few with rear ends still there but couldn't tell what they were. I was by myself and they usually had flats all around. Mostly I figured out what was there and looked for small stuff. Found a few things reasonable prices. If i knew my non Chargers better I could give a better report on what's there.

Saw some old dodge trucks. Didn't have time to go through them. They were in the trucks section. I will in time.

As for the Mopar only junkyard it's over the line in NC. I was told about it by my local Mopar club. I don't know all the details yet. They called it Ivesters but i cant find a junkyard on line by that name.

When I'm better prepared to find a rear end I will go back.

 

[YY1]

I've been to Ivesters and have pics posted on this site.

Nice guy and fair prices.

I paid $300 for a really nice 66 Coronet fender.

Not a great deal but fair for a nice part.

 

[YY1]

I almost warned about trying the "turn the wheel" check in a JY.

That usually requires you to bring your own jack (if they allow it) and maybe some wood for under it, and maybe an hour of labor.

I once pulled a 67 Coronet axle by my self in sugar sand and drug it (and my floor jack) by my self through the same sand about 3/4 of a mile.

 

[Tim Chavez]

so if my 8 3/4 roasts both tires on a burn-out does that make it a sure grip for certain? or were there other 8 3/4 that roasted b oth tires? i found no id tags on the center section and my fender says the 8 3/4 isn't stock. thanks guys

 

[Cranky]

so if my 8 3/4 roasts both tires on a burn-out does that make it a sure grip for certain? or were there other 8 3/4 that roasted b oth tires? i found no id tags on the center section and my fender says the 8 3/4 isn't stock. thanks guys

Jack up one wheel, put the trans in neutral and see if you can turn the wheel that's off the ground. If it turns easily, then it's not a limited slip (SG) but if you have a 'hard' time turning it, 90% good it's an SG. All the limited slip rears will turn when doing this but it's hard.... you have to grunt to do it and is what counts but changes are good, you have one.