Anyone know the width of a late 80's Dakota rear axle?
Spring perch center and flange to flange?

Or know of a chart online? I looked and couldn't find one...

I want to swap out the rear axle in the 55 Desoto to something newer.

Need 46 inch spring perch distance with a roughly 60 inch flange width.

Looks like the E body 8 3/4 or the Dakota rear would work but you'll probably have to move the spring perches. I found this on the Dakota rear.

http://faq.dakota-truck.net/Chassis/axle_swap.html

"Rear suspension was unchanged in concept from 1996 - leaf springs with a solid axle - but refined to improve ride and handling and to reduce harshness. Rear track was increased 2 inches (51 mm) to 61.5 inches (1562 mm) with standard and higher load capacity tires by widening the axle. With the Tire and Handling packages, additional wheel offset increased track by an inch (25 mm). In addition to accommodating larger tires, the wider track reduced body lean. A tight toe specification for the rear axle housing contributed to handling precision by assuring that rear wheels maintained a toed-in attitude."

http://www.allpar.com/trucks/dakota-tech.html

The C and E bodies have 46" spring centers, the E body rear end is 61 5/8" drum-to-drum.

From looking at charts I knew the E-Body rear was pretty much a direct bolt in, but as soon as you say E-Body it adds extra $$$$$ to the price.

The 318 that's in the car will never break any rearend so I was looking for cheaper options, that's why I way thinking something from a Dakota depending on the width.

It looks to me like the C-Body perch width is wider (47.3).

try this place, hope it helps..

http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2361372

You can always buy new perches, grind the old ones off and weld the new ones on. If you're not up to that kind of welding, I don't imagine it would cost a heck of a lot to have done if you got it all setup.

I can weld on new perches (even have a set here).

Just trying to see what I can find that's a bolt in before I break out the welder.

I've seen a bunch of 8 3/4 E body banjos for cheap, you can use any center chunk.
Don't know where your located but.........

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/1567835388.html

I have a 67 polara 8 3/4 housing with 46" perch centers and 60 something flange to flange,IIRC

think thats a bolt in for a dak,IIRC

seems the axle is 30" from flange to splined end

I would have to measure it for exact # though

pm me if your interested in it...

You need to buy the one I have on craigslist now: http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/pts/1588132119.html It came from a '67 C body.

125 is cheap enuff for sure...shipping is gonna be a killer...

the axles are thick in the 28" area??