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I have a 89 Dakota with the 3.9 auto 4x4. has 3.90 gear ratio. i am looking for a straight forward swap.. do i need to find the same year rear? what options do i have?? i noticed the springs are on top of the axle. i dont want any more work than i have to. ive swapped many rears in Jeeps this is my 1st dakota. please help??? the problem im having is finding a junkyard 8.25 out of a 89.. what other years are interchangable?? without any modifications...
they will be the same until 96. in 97 they changed a little with the axles (29 spline instead of 27. i think the 97 up daks were a little wider, not sure though.
1988-96 Dakota. Just remember to get 4wd. 2wd springs are uder the axle. While 4wd are on top of the axle. And keep the same gear ratio. Both axles need to be the same ratios. If not you can bust things up fast. And I dont know if you got ABS but if you do make sure your new one gots one. If you dont it dont matter if you got one on the new one.
:S huh my bad thought they discontinued the 8 1/4 axle in 93 and put the 9 1/4 94-up
I wish! But no there were only 8.25 or 7.25
I forgot to mention in 1987 - 1990 the wheel bolt pattern is 5 x 4.5"
It changed in 1991 - 2004 6 x 4.5" So if you get 91 or newer you will need that set of wheels.
i blew out my 3.55 and swapped in a 3.90 easily if you use an oem axle from a junkyard or from wherever it is easy, i would suggest doing the u-joints and new diff cover gasket if using a used axle tho, you will also need new u-bolts