I have a 1972 Dodge Dart with a 318, 904 auto trans and a 7 1/4" rear end. The problem I have is the rearend is worn out and howls like a wolf. I have searched the local salvage yards and could only find a 8 1/4" rearend under a 73 Scamp. I need to do something before I frag my poor little 7 1/4" rearend under my 72 Dart.
This is what I am proposing to do, I want to put my Granada 8" rearend under my 72 Dodge Dart. I found out today that my rearend under my 77 Granada is not a 9" but a 8", I noticed this while I was pulling the motor. I guess I deserve this because I assumed it was a 9" rearend, I won't assume anymore. Back to the matter at hand, I don't want to fix the 7 1/4" rearend under the Dart, they suck and they are weak. I really don't want to pay $80-100 for the 8 1/4" under the 73 Scamp, this rearend isn't much better. I then thought about it today and wondered if I can put this 77 Granada 8" rearend under my 72 Dart. The dimensions on the 7 1/4" are almost the same as the 8" but there is about a 2" difference in where the spring perches are at between the two rearends. The bolt pattern on the 72 Dart is 5 on 4" and the Granada is 5 on 4 1/2". I heard 73 and latter Chrysler Products are 5 on 4 1/2" pattern which is suppose to be the same as the Ford 5 on 4 1/2". I was planning on going to the 5 on 4 1/2" bolt pattern on the 72 Dart when I do a disc brake conversion. The other problem is the drive-shaft, I though about taking the back half of the Granada drive shaft and having it welded onto the Dart drive shaft. I would then have the drive-shaft shop either shorten or lengthen it and do what ever is needed. Is this going to be feasible or am I going to cause myself alot of headaches trying to do this. I really don't want to hear you cannot put a Ford rearend under a Dodge because it will devalue it or why put junk under a superior Chrysler Product. I figure if it will fit and work why not do this since this would be hotrodding. Any ideas on this?????? any input on this matter would be appreciated.
This is what I am proposing to do, I want to put my Granada 8" rearend under my 72 Dodge Dart. I found out today that my rearend under my 77 Granada is not a 9" but a 8", I noticed this while I was pulling the motor. I guess I deserve this because I assumed it was a 9" rearend, I won't assume anymore. Back to the matter at hand, I don't want to fix the 7 1/4" rearend under the Dart, they suck and they are weak. I really don't want to pay $80-100 for the 8 1/4" under the 73 Scamp, this rearend isn't much better. I then thought about it today and wondered if I can put this 77 Granada 8" rearend under my 72 Dart. The dimensions on the 7 1/4" are almost the same as the 8" but there is about a 2" difference in where the spring perches are at between the two rearends. The bolt pattern on the 72 Dart is 5 on 4" and the Granada is 5 on 4 1/2". I heard 73 and latter Chrysler Products are 5 on 4 1/2" pattern which is suppose to be the same as the Ford 5 on 4 1/2". I was planning on going to the 5 on 4 1/2" bolt pattern on the 72 Dart when I do a disc brake conversion. The other problem is the drive-shaft, I though about taking the back half of the Granada drive shaft and having it welded onto the Dart drive shaft. I would then have the drive-shaft shop either shorten or lengthen it and do what ever is needed. Is this going to be feasible or am I going to cause myself alot of headaches trying to do this. I really don't want to hear you cannot put a Ford rearend under a Dodge because it will devalue it or why put junk under a superior Chrysler Product. I figure if it will fit and work why not do this since this would be hotrodding. Any ideas on this?????? any input on this matter would be appreciated.