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A body 8-3/4 into an E-body

Posted By: 71STROKERFISH

A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/20/16 03:30 AM

Has anyone fit an A-body 8-3/4 into an E-body? I'm needing some more tire clearance, for the outside (fender) and the only options that will help me out are to narrow my rear end, or install an A-body rear end that I have. Additionally I intend to install a offset spring kit to gain the clearance and area needed for the A-body rear end. I've done some rough measuring and it seems it should work.

I posted some of this story about a month ago and have since been thinking about the A-body axle laying around in the back. My issue is the rear quarter on the passenger side. I've done the math, taken the pictures, scratched my head, drew out diagrams, now I lean on you, my Bretheran Mopar bros....A into E= Meats in the back? An

Any help, experience or recommedation will be appreciated. I've been delaying the inevitable since I installed these tires 13+yrs ago...they are worn out and I need more on the ground.

I also contacted Stockton Wheel and they will gladly make a new set of wheels for me with the needed 5" offset....That's another option.

Thanks!!

-dc
Posted By: OzHemi

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/20/16 04:06 AM

By the time you buy new axles for the A body diff and all (since it would have been small bolt pattern that is) you would be ahead of the game and just change the back spacing on the wheels you already have I'd think. If you want to move the springs somewhat, could always just go with offset shackles and move the perches on the diff housing you already have under the car ?
Posted By: SNK-EYZ

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/20/16 08:18 AM

Since A-Body 8-3/4 rear ends are small bolt pattern and are worth more $$$ (usually) it would make more sense to either buy wheels with more backspacing and move the springs in rather than trying to use the A-Body rear end.

Another choice would be use a B-Body rear end which is narrower than the E-Body and use the offset hanger too. The wheels wouldn't need as much backspacing then.

35 years ago I made my own offset front spring hangers and used the Mopar Perf rears to put a B-Body Dana under my 70 Challenger Conv.
It had 15 x 10 wheels on the back and depending on what time period it had N-50/15s or 295/50r15 on it.
The car also sat low, as in stock height or lower.

If I could ever figure out where I stored my old photo album I could post pics.
I haven't been able to find it since I moved 5 years ago, it's gotta be in a box somewhere.
Posted By: barracuda7199

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/20/16 11:47 AM

Dr diff 1" spring relocaters will let you bolt in a 68-70 b body rearend. Then you can run 10" wide wheels with 5.5" back spacing. Using this setup I have 325/50's under my 71 cuda.
Posted By: skicker

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/20/16 12:37 PM

Sell the A Body housing to someone that can use it...You should have enough money left over to use a regular B Body housing and buy the spring relocation kit...maybe a little towards new wheels... up
Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/20/16 05:58 PM

What Barracuda and Skicker said: get a B body rear/Docs' relocation kit and A body 8&3/4's are worth their weight in gold these days, sell it complete/seperately & you'll (easily) have enough cash to take care of all of this changeover.
Posted By: DaveRS23

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/21/16 01:42 AM

Originally Posted By barracuda7199
Dr diff 1" spring relocaters will let you bolt in a 68-70 b body rearend. Then you can run 10" wide wheels with 5.5" back spacing. Using this setup I have 325/50's under my 71 cuda.


iagree That is the set-up I have under my Cuda, too.
Posted By: barracuda7199

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/23/16 03:28 AM

Originally Posted By DaveRS23
Originally Posted By barracuda7199
Dr diff 1" spring relocaters will let you bolt in a 68-70 b body rearend. Then you can run 10" wide wheels with 5.5" back spacing. Using this setup I have 325/50's under my 71 cuda.


iagree That is the set-up I have under my Cuda, too.

Completely changes the car. Mine has drop springs on it too.
Posted By: Rob C

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/23/16 02:59 PM

Did you do mini tubs on the Cuda to fit that tire?
Posted By: barracuda7199

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/23/16 05:45 PM

Sure didn't! Rolled the lips and they fit fine. I had to use a small spacer on the pass. side because it was too tight on the spring. Which is normal to be tight one way or the other on these cars. The rearends is rarely square to the body.
Posted By: barracuda7199

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/23/16 08:08 PM

A few pictures are here. http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=89074.0
Best I can do at the moment the car is in a 1000 pieces right now.
Posted By: 71STROKERFISH

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/25/16 04:35 AM

Wow, thanks for all the inputs gents! I will list the A-body housing real soon. I'm in OKC (okcmopars.com) if anyone is interested, I'll have it at our Mopar Show June 11th. Ck the website.

I plan to buy the 1" offset for sure, recenter some new perches, add a less than 45 year old set of leaf springs to it and run the 8" wheel for now, with the 4.5" offset and see how it looks. All i really wanted was a 275/60 ....but I guess I might try to find a 68-70 housing and stuff that 325 meat under it.....

Those are some great pics by the way....

Thanks once again for all the recommendations....time to bring the meats to the rear!!
Posted By: Blues_Cuda

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/25/16 04:41 AM

Originally Posted By Sputnik


If I could ever figure out where I stored my old photo album I could post pics.
I haven't been able to find it since I moved 5 years ago, it's gotta be in a box somewhere.


This one?

Attached picture Detert-StreetMachineNats.jpg
Posted By: barracuda7199

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/25/16 04:41 AM

I believe I would skip the welding of perches and dealing with pinion angle plus potential warping of the housing and just get a b body rear and BOLT it in. twocents Easiet and best bang for the buck mod I have ever done.
Posted By: SNK-EYZ

Re: A body 8-3/4 into an E-body - 04/25/16 08:27 AM

Originally Posted By Blues_Cuda
Originally Posted By Sputnik


If I could ever figure out where I stored my old photo album I could post pics.
I haven't been able to find it since I moved 5 years ago, it's gotta be in a box somewhere.


This one?




That's the one. up

The Street Machine Nationals in DuQuoin I believe.
426 Hemi with a 4 speed and a B-Body Dana.
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