Length of the rear end?

I put a Ford 8.8" rearend in my Dart (From a 91 Ranger), had to narrow one side as the carrier was offset 2", if you do a little research you will find there are plenty of in-expensive later model rearends that will work. I had a 7.25 and knew it wouldn't hold up long, my car was far from original so I went with a cheaper alternative, so far I have had no problems and I have made 25 passes with it. Most of the die hard Mopar people will tell you to go with a Mopar 8.75 with the limited availabilty and cost I opted for the Ford.