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...

 

dakota's ranging from 88-93 had the 8 1/4 axle and I beileve some jeeps had them and maybe some AMC's but not sure on that.

 

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 found a dana 44 out of a Jeep Cherokee sport. will this be a straight swap ?? or is there mods necessary

 

no sure about that one. i would imgine the shock mounts will be different but the width probably pretty close. would be an interesting swap

 

No I dont belive that dana from a jeep would be a simple swap. Also the width would be shorter by 2ins or more. It is possible but not simple R&R.

 

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