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Dodge Differential help needed
#595864 December 15th 2012 7:37 am
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Hi all
Am getting ready to put an A518 overdrive transmission into my 1979 Dodge B200 van, have already put several posts on the forum and received some good advice.
Just checked my diff and found the tag on the diff cover says 3.2, as shown in the photo. Does this mean it is a 3.20 diff? Believe for the overdrive transmission I need a 3.55 diff or more otherwise the van will lug - is this right?

Also if I need to get another diff, where can I get one from i.e what other vehicles ramcharger etc, I'm over in the UK so donor vehicles are going to be a bit scarce so need as many options as possible, if anyone nows what else will fit it will be much appreciated. If you have a diff going cheap even better, although shipping may kill it. [Linked Image]
Thanks
Mark

Re: Dodge Differential help needed
3pinplug #595865 December 15th 2012 7:55 am
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Found this close to me, is this any good and will it fit?

Mopar / Dodge HI Performance ring/pinion set ratio 4.88 for 8/34 lsd in used good condition . came out off my 1968 R/T 440 Dodge charger

[Linked Image]

Last edited by 3pinplug; December 15th 2012 7:57 am.
Re: Dodge Differential help needed
3pinplug #595976 December 16th 2012 1:27 pm
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The 3.2 tag likely means that your rear axle was originally built with a 3.2 gear set. If you are installing overdrive, you want at least a 3.55 gearset if not a slightly higher numeric ratio.

I strongly doubt that your 1979 van has an 8 3/4 rear axle. 8 3/4 rear axles were put in Dodge vans, but not after about 1973. It is much more likely that you have an 8 1/4 rear axle. The 4.55 gears you found from a Ramcharger will not fit.

The good news is that the Chrysler 8 1/4 rear axle was used in Jeeps into the mid 1990s. The gears from any 8 1/4 rear axle up until about 1996 will fit into your van's rear axle. Just be sure to match the spline count. It should be very easy to find a set of 3.55 or higher gears from a Jeep, and I know Jeeps were sold over on your side of the pond.

In fact, if you find a mid 90s Jeep, you can even grab the rear disc brakes from the 8 1/4 rear axle you get the gears from. The disc brakes will bolt right up to your van's rear axle.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Dodge Differential help needed
Reed #595980 December 16th 2012 2:57 pm
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Hi Reed
Thanks for the info on the jeep, will start to look and see what I can find on ebay over here. Heres a pic of my rear axle don't know if you can tell from the pic which one it is, is the 8 1/4 and 8 3/4etc the width as if it is i'll measure it?
[Linked Image]

Re: Dodge Differential help needed
3pinplug #595981 December 16th 2012 3:12 pm
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That is the Dodge 8 1/4. But this is misnamed as it is actually 8 3/8 but the 2 are one and the same and will always cause confusion.

I replaced my 8 3/8 at 196k miles with a 9 1/4, which is a bit beefier in design, and also might be another option for you over there. Just measure the distance between the spring perches of your current axle and any potential axle you find.

Re: Dodge Differential help needed
3pinplug #595982 December 16th 2012 3:59 pm
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Everyone always calls it an 8 1/4 because the other popular rear wheel drive Dodge axles are the 7 1/4 and the 8 3/4. Why throw an x/8 measurement into the mix? 3/8 is close enough to 1/4 to allow for some fudging.

I still think it would be cheaper and easier in the long run to find a Jeep or even a Dodge Dakota and grab the gears and possibly disc brakes of of that. Just be sure to verify that he spline count on the carrier in the Jeep axle matches the spline count on the axles in your van. All Chrysler 8 1/4 rear axles have 27 splines on the axles until 1997 when it was changed to 29. This means that the gears from any 1996 and earlier 8 1/4 will bolt right in to your 79 8 1/4 case.

Possible donor vehicles for a new set of gears and carrier are:

1/2 Ton Chrysler Van: 1970 - 2004 (Rear)
1/2 Ton Dodge Pickup: 1970 - 2006 (Rear)
3/4 Ton Chrysler Van: 1971 - 2002 (Rear)
3/4 Ton Dodge Pickup: 1970 - 2001 (Rear)
Dodge Dakota: 1988 - 1997 (Rear)
Jeep Grand Cherokee / WJ: 1992 - 1997 (Rear)
Jeep XJ: 1991 - 1997 (Rear)
Jeep XJ Sport: 1991 - 1997 (Rear)


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Dodge Differential help needed
Reed #595983 December 16th 2012 4:31 pm
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Thanks reed, ok will start searching using the list and let you know how I go, no idea how much shipping would be sent an e-mail but your right probably going to be expensive.
many thanks
Mark

Re: Dodge Differential help needed
3pinplug #595984 December 16th 2012 4:53 pm
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Sorry- the end cutoff year of interchangeability in the list I posted should be 1996 for all vehicles.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: Dodge Differential help needed
3pinplug #596015 December 16th 2012 9:49 pm
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That is a close ratio to the 3:23 gears. Mine said 3.4 which is 3:55 close enough to try it and at least ask your dealer to give you a good estimate on how it will work. Just go down and ask the pro's, they know more than anyone. That is advise you can trust.


Cheers!

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Built for comfort not for speed angel....Well speed too !...smile

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