71 Dodge Dart Swinger in England

A lot of guys go 9" ford since its pretty tough, has the same bolt pattern as mopar passenger cars with the bigger bolt pattern or bbp and is relatively cheaper than building an A body 8&3/4 one piece at a time.

Starting from scratch and building an 8&3/4 A body rear, you can easily end up with about $1,200 in one complete drum to drum. And thats with doing some swapping and trading.

I lucked out and got a complete 8&3/4 that was shortened to an A body width minus center chunk for $250. It was small bolt pattern. I sold the axles for $100. And the brakes which were completely rebuilt for $100. So my housing cost me $50. Then i built up a set of 10x2.50" bbp drum brakes out of a donor car i scrapped. Added a set of used chrysler cordoba finned drums. Spent about $50 in wheel cylinders, spring kits, and getting drums turned. Bought new dr diff bbp axles w green bearings, $300. And an open center chunk from a 67 newport $100. So far i'm into it $500.

Now i have to decide on gears $200
Buy a master bearing, seal, shim kit $80
Powertrax or Eaton Trutrac LSD $400

Bingo $1,200

Some guys out here are modifying and using the ford explorer sport trac 8.8 rear axles now. Same as mopar bolt pattern, right track width when you use 2 right side axles, and cut 3" out of the left side axle tube to shorten it and put the differential carrier in the center. These come with 3.73 gears rear disc brakes and LSD stock. About $200 from pick n pull wrecking yards. Thats a total no brainer. Me, i had to have an 8&3/4.

My sons 69 barracuda, we will be going with the ford explorer sport trac rear.