The specifics of converting an E Body 8 3/4 rear end housing to an A body 8 3/4 rear end houseing
Well, here's my story : 72 duster . I put in an 8.25 out of a 75 dart. Meant to be a temporary rear so I could get 4.5 BC on the car until I could build a proper rear.. Put on 15x8 4.5 BS with 275/60-15. Clearance to the outside was great. Clearance to leaf spring was very tight. Would sometimes rub the spring and inner wheelhouse on tight turns. I narrowed an 8.75 to stock Abody 52 5/8 width , put the perches at 42 and used the Dr Diff 1/2 offset shackles and hangers. Dr Diff axles and big brakes. Now , plenty of space between tire and spring . Tire is too close on outside. Rubs on Quarter lip on hard bumps. Trimmed the lip . Tire still rubs the outer wheelhouse on hard bumps . If I was to do it over, I would have made the housing a little narrower, maybe 52.00. A 4.75 BS wheel would fix it , but that size is not as common as the 4.5 . Moral of the story : It is better to be too narrow than too wide. You can always add a wheel spacer.
Well, here's my story : 72 duster . I put in an 8.25 out of a 75 dart. Meant to be a temporary rear so I could get 4.5 BC on the car until I could build a proper rear.. Put on 15x8 4.5 BS with 275/60-15. Clearance to the outside was great. Clearance to leaf spring was very tight. Would sometimes rub the spring and inner wheelhouse on tight turns. I narrowed an 8.75 to stock Abody 52 5/8 width , put the perches at 42 and used the Dr Diff 1/2 offset shackles and hangers. Dr Diff axles and big brakes. Now , plenty of space between tire and spring . Tire is too close on outside. Rubs on Quarter lip on hard bumps. Trimmed the lip . Tire still rubs the outer wheelhouse on hard bumps . If I was to do it over, I would have made the housing a little narrower, maybe 52.00. A 4.75 BS wheel would fix it , but that size is not as common as the 4.5 . Moral of the story : It is better to be too narrow than too wide. You can always add a wheel spacer.
