B-body 83/4 into a A-body

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moparmarkk

moparmarkk

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Hi, have a 73 duster that I want to install a 65 B-body 83/4 into,does anybody know if the offset spring hangers that are for sale will work without any welding? Tanks Mark
 
You should not even need those.
 
Hey OP, does this axle have the 741 carrier? If so, have you pulled the '65 B rear axle apart to look at the gears? Just be aware that there was an odd ball 8-1/4" R&P installed in the 741 carrier in '62-'65 in 225/6 B body cars. If it is a 489 or 742 carrier, then no worries on this point.
 
moparmarkk said:
Hi, have a 73 duster that I want to install a 65 B-body 83/4 into,does anybody know if the offset spring hangers that are for sale will work without any welding? Tanks Mark
Click to expand...

No, they won't work.
They are intended to move the springs inward.
Just cut the old ones off and weld new perches inboard about 1/2'' on each side and be done with it. They need to be 43'' center to center for the a-body width.
It's very easy to do, i did it on my Dart Sport and if you want pics and some info, check out my build thread.
If you can't weld, take them to a shop and have them do it for you, it shouldn't take more than an hour.
 
It will probably be less of a headache to go to a local off road shop, I found a shop in my town that cut the old perches off and welded new ones on where they fit the springs in my Dart for like $70 plus tax. That was parts and labor.
 
cletus said:
It will probably be less of a headache to go to a local off road shop, I found a shop in my town that cut the old perches off and welded new ones on where they fit the springs in my Dart for like $70 plus tax. That was parts and labor.
Click to expand...

I second this.

The shop can re-weld the spring perches onto the axle keeping the original pinion angle. Although, pinion angle does vary from car to car due to suspension height and stuff.
 
Thanks to all that replied,was trying to do it at home.I'll get it welded.dartnut nice build,thanks,mark
 
You can use it as is, i know guys who have done it...i don't know if i would.
...are the pinion / spring pad angles the same from A boy to B body?
 
I pushed a little on mine and it dropped right in.
 
Slot the holes about 1/4" on each side and you'll be fine.
BTW, that oddball ring gear on the early Slant cars is a 3:31 ratio. 62 only.
 
A little bit of a hijackfor me to reminisce...I had a '73 Dart Sport when I was a kid. Replaced the exploded 8 1/4 with a 8 3/4 from "another car" (B/E body, I don't remember but the modifications were already done)
Got new wheels/tires at the same time. I was pissed cuz the wheels were wide but were not "deep dish" like I wanted. Had N50/15 tires on 'em. The thing is, the wide tires with that wheel offset and the wider axle (I think it's wider than A-body) made the wheels tuck-in real nice, almost like the car was tubbed. It was real cool. Something to think about.
 
Dartnut,yes it was,you put it up so people can steal some of your ideas right? thanks
 
I have a '68-70 B body rear in my Duster. The perches need to be moved to do it right. You can side load the springs enough to make it work, but make no illusions about that being the right way to do it. Yes, it can and has been done, no, it isn't how it should be done.

B-body perches are at 44" c-c, A body perches are at 43" c-c. If you slot the perches and pull the springs you're side loading the springs and losing tire clearance. The A and B body perches are also not welded at the same angle from the factory, although that can be corrected with shims, and the factory angle might not be right for your car anyway depending on its ride height etc.

Could you flip a set of 1/2" offset spring/shackle mounts side to side to make it work? Yes, but again, you're losing a 1/2" spring clearance if you do that. Moving the perches isn't that hard, and it shouldn't be all that expensive if you need to pay someone to do it. Plus, if you're moving the perches, you can install that 1/2" offset spring kit correctly and gain a 1/2" of spring clearance at the same time instead of losing it.
 
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