Beefing up the Rear End in a Dodge Dakota
Unfortunately, the OP found out this wasn’t a 100% bolt-on job. But it was nothing he couldn’t work around.
“Moved the truck back into the garage and pulled out the 8.25, then hung the 8.8 to the springs. I tried to use a set of original style semi-round U-bolts and the Dodge bottom plates to mount the rear end. But with the difference in the axle tubes, (3 inches vs 3.25), it just would not work well. Ended up using a different set of plates and bolts.
I had planned to try and use the Explorer sway bar, but it turned out that the sway bar mounts were where the shock mounts needed to be. Considered moving the shock mounts, but decided to scrap the sway bar idea and just cut the mounts off. Besides, I was unable to find a bigger sway bar for the front. And without changing it, I felt the truck would be out of balance.”
And after a little research, he found out there’s more than one way to get the job done.
“I read up on how to set pinion angle. Ended up scrapping all of those plans and did it this way. With the original 8.25 hanging with no shocks and driveshaft attached, I used a digital level on the back side of the axle ( where the cover mounts). I wrote down that measurement.
Then I set the 8.8 under the truck with the spring perches in place and snugged up the u-bolts. I then took measurements from side to side to make sure it was centered. Then I took the level and placed on the back of the 8.8 rear and twisted till the angle was the same as the 8.25. Double checked my measurements and then tacked the perches in place.”
