I have a 1993 Dak with an 8.25 rear.
I wish to install a 9.25 rear.
I read a thread here (from Bad96_3.9) of a 1999 Durango axle installed into a 1st gen Dak.
My question is: Is a 2nd gen Dak or Durango the same width?Flange to flange?
I understand there is a slight difference in width of the spring perches but my concern is more the 9.25 can I use a 2nd gen Dak 9.25 or do I have to stick to the Durango 9.25?

Thanks in advance and I love these posts!

 

I did the swap on my truck as well. I got my 9.25 from a durango also, but the dakota will work. The 9.25 is 1 inch wider than the 8.25, so it will put your wheels 1/2 inch out on each side. There are a few things for you to keep in mind...

1) All of the durangos are axle over spring (don't hold me to this) and the 4x2 dakotas are axle over spring, but the 4x4 dakotas are axle under spring. This makes a big difference, cause if your truck is a 4x4 you will want the axle out the 4x4 dakota unless you have a strong enough welder to weld new spring perches on. I welded on new perches... http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.as...0&partID=40479

2) The 2nd gen dakotas and 1st gen durangos have a different shock set up than our trucks, so you will need the abililty to weld shock tabs on it. I used these... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Shock...7479QQtcZphoto

3) You will need to install your parking brake cables in the new axle, so you will have to disassemble the brakes.

4) If your truck has ABS, you will need to make sure the axle has ABS and you will need to custom make a wire harness.

5) Bad96_3.9 did not have this problem but I did... My intermediate parking brake cable came up 3 inches short so I have to make a new one.

The swap is easy if your mechanically inclined, it took me and buddy of mine 5 hours from start to finish and I would recommend the swap to anybody cause the 9.25 is a beast!

 

So i can use either the Dak 9.25 or Durango 9.25
As far as the mounts I will take care of the spring perches.
I was more concerned with the width flange to flange.

Thanks again

 

Just out of curiosity, is your truck 2 or 4 wheel drive?

I believe the 2nd gen and 1st gen frames are the same width, so if you get an axle to match your spring/axle setup, there is no need to weld new perches on.

 

Mine is a 2wd.
I am planning on putting the big block into it.
I ordered and received the kit from schumacher industries
for the swap including the mounts engine and tranny.
I have a new 383 magnum with 50 miles on it and a fresh 727
waiting to put it in.
I do have a 8 3/4 but I would like to stay with the 6 bolt as I have the 2001
dakota aluminum rims.
Soooo I am wanting to put the 9.25 to maintain the 6 bolt rims.
I have Michelin xe4 245 65 16 on them and they ride nice look good and well you get the idea.
It is a short box standard cab.
The colour is pearl green 1993 original colour>
I will keep you updated as I progress.
Thanks for the help, I guess I will hunt for the 9.25 at the bone yards.

Cheers

Derek

 

383 BIG BLOCK

If your going to go through that much trouble at least turn it into a 440 or something to make the effort worthwhile. There's really no need for the extra weight of the big block without much more displacement than a 360 small block. Large CID small blocks have a much better power to weight ratio than low CID big blocks. What you do is up to you, I'm not bashing your plan or anything, just putting in my $0.02. I'm working on building a 408 small block stroker right now that I'm hoping will be close to 400 hp and it will be a direct swap and it won't throw off the weight distribution of the truck.

 

I know a guy that put a 440 in one. left the V6 emblems on the side

 

One day I will do the 9.25 swap. But for now the only thing that is keeping from doing it is my locker. Once I get the 9.25 then I will have to buy another locker. And the 8.25 has a selectable locker available, the 9.25 doesn't.

As for a Big Block, that would be sweet! There are a few posts of it on the FAQ2. No replacement for displacement.

 

i'm thinking for power to weight the 340 is very good. should be an easy fit. my uncle had one in an early 70's duster and i swear if it had wings it could fly. had a standard three speed and at a red light he could be in third before it started to really moving, at least i think, had to go by the sound because i couldn't see him through the smoke. a dakota 2x4 is probably even lighter than a duster.

 

LOL, the 318, 340, and 360 are all small block mopars that are similar enough to weigh about the same. The best power to weight ratio you can get out of a small block mopar is building a 408 stroker (unless you get a block in nice enough condition to handle the bore of a 416)

The big block would be a sweet swap, I just don't understand the point of going through the effort if you're only going to put in a 383, since you can get more displacement than that out of a small block that weighs a lot less.