I was wonding how much HP the 8.25 in our dakotas can take. I know with the motor that im putting in that it is going to break the rear but i am wondering if i can get stronger parts or if there is a rear out there that will be an eazy swap. I would really like my truck to keep the same lug pattern so i can look stock roling down the road (take all the ricers money). Im looking between 700-800 hp and going to be running some wide slicks for the track. I know a built ford 9" would work but i would really like it to be stock looking. I also know that the viper has the same lug but that is independent suspension.

 

i cant help you with your problem but what are you putting in your dakota anyway?

 

I am going to be putting in a Mopar R3 block which is a mopar small block but is bored and stroked to 426ci. everyone thinks damn you have a 426 well its not the same 426. The motor is getting fitted with everything i can throw into it, including a 15psi turbo. It is going to be a big step up from the 3.9L that is in it now.

 

If I'm not mistake, didnt the guy who put the Viper motor in the dakota leave teh stock 8.25 in it and never had issues with it? Dodge rears are usually over built much like Ford did to the 9".

 

Well it sounds like i will keep the rear in it until it takes a dump. I am a racing and offroad guy and i have seen people break 8.25 into bits that is the offroad side. I was also looking up stuff about these rears and the ford 8.8 seems to be the same strength as the 8.25 and Cobra's with 500+ hp kill them. But im thinking do with what you said just run it. I guess i will go by the moto run it till you break it then make it stronger.

thanks guys

 

go w/ a 9' or a dana 60 you can keep the same bolt pattern by calling strange or currie they make axles in any bolt pattern and lenght for under $400 so you can use any rear end w/ those axles and keep the 6x5.5

 

Well in the short term you can throw a 9.25 in, which is the stock v8 rear axle. Plenty of half-ton Rams with huge tires and a fair bit of power running those. Might last a bit longer than the 8.25, and you can pick one up at a junkyard and bolt it up.

 

How much did the R3 block run you?