7 3/4" and 8 1/4" rear weaknesses? (and other ?'s)
I don't hear too much about the 8 1/4 going bad, more the 7 1/4 and the new Dakota 9 1/4 the 7 1/4 usually snaps the spider gears or the pin holding them, or the pinion strips. the newer 9 1/4 Dakota rear ends are notorious for the pinion bearings going bad and stripping the pinion gear and ring gear. best rear end for a mild build to severe is the 8 1/4 Dakota rear the 8 3/4 or the Ferd 9"