I have an '87 Dak, 2wd, 3.9L. Good little truck, but what I didn't know was that the previous owner had welded up the spyder gears. Somehow the splines have gone south on the right axle and I now have a 1wd (left wheel) mess! Need some advise on what rear end I can replace it with. Have found just enough info to be really confused. I think the old rear end is 8.25, but not positive. Can find no info in or on the truck or axle to id. Dodge told me the truck was too old for them to get this info. Really don't want to put a 7.25 rear-end in in any case. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

Got a build sheet from Dodge. According to that: axle ratio 4.63, rear axle 194MM. They still say that the truck is too old to provide more info. The ratio seems odd to me, but not an expert. Am I wrong or does the 194MM indicate a Dana (35c)?

 

I now there are 2 different types of rearends for these things. theres is an oval one and a hexagonal one. if you just look at the rearend cover you will beable to tell.

when I blew my old rearend it was an oval one, then the one I found at a junk yard was a hexagon one. some one told me the difference between the 2 but I forget now. I think it was the oval one is a9.25 and the hexagon is a 8.25. but dont quote me on that.

but my old rearend would kick in to posi the odd time and now my new on is a stupid one wheeler peeler.

and I've never heard of a 4.63 ratio.

 

First gen dakotas don,t have 9.25 . They have 7.25 for 4cyl and 8.25 for most others.The 8.25 has an oval cover with straight tube axles(no step in tube size)

 

ya that souds better

so the oval one is the 8.24 and the hex one is 7.25

 

That is what I thought 7.25 or 8.25. Then I got the build sheet which indicates 194MM rear axle and the only references I've been able to find to that all lead to the Dana 35. But the only references I find indicate that rear end in jeeps not daks. And the sheet definitely states a 4.63 axle ratio. Strange.

I have heard that a 9.25 can be used. Anyone know if that is true. If so I have access to one at the right price (free). What kind of mods might have to be done?

Thanks for your help.