Ok is the 8 1/4 axle strong enough for demo derby?

I wanted to link that whole discussion but I lost it. It was a 8.25 discussion with dial indicator pictures of the measurements. I now know, because I am interested too, that in 1979 they went to a 29 spline from the 27 spline. Your 78 might be on the fence of that change.
Hmmm... the 8.25 in my '88 Dakota is 27 spline- catalog lists them as 27 up through '96, then going to 29 in 1997?