help with identifying my rear end

[70charger_boy]

I have a 70 charger with a 318.  I'm pretty sure the trans is a 904, but I was tod that the stock rear is a 7 1/4 or 7 3/4, but the rear has a bolted on cover?  Can someone help me with this? thanks orlando

[Chatt69chgr]

The stock rear is a 8-1/4.  Do a little creative googling and you will find good articles on identifying rear ends.  I think AutoHobbyDigest has a good article.  In fact, if you search on this site, you will probably find the same information.

[terrible one]

Actually, the stock rear would be an 8 3/4 I do believe.

Anyways, this might help:

[70charger_boy]

thanks terrible one, you saved me yet again

[terrible one]

No problem man, glad I could help! So did you figure out what was under there?

[70charger_boy]

I have a 7 1/4.  i work with a guy who has a 69 charger with a 426 hemi (non matching numbers)  I was pretty bummed out about having the 7 1/4 rear and was going to do a swap, but he says that I can put a set of 4:56 gears on it and the car would be a beast.  What do you think?  Also, I am really tempted to pay 8 grand for the 318 hemi kit and beef up my 904 tranny.  Am I an idiot??

[terrible one]

Personally, I would swap that rear out, but that's just me. I don't know anything about the strength of the 7 1/4 or anything like that. However, you can put some really low gears in these other rears as well. I personally would not shell out 8 grand to make my 318 into a Hemi. For that kind of money you could have a sick 440 built, along with a 727 or 833. That's the route I would go if I had the 8 grand, but it's your money of course.

[Bandit72]

i personally am a fan of the 8 3/4...plenty strong, easy to change the "chunk", and really common.... just my 

[70charger_boy]

I wish I was rich!!!  8 3/4 is the way im leaning.  Screw that I'm getting a dana 60.   

[terrible one]

A Dana 60 will cost you big bucks. An original will cost you around $1000-1500 these days it seems, and then you would have to bring it back to life. I think aftermarket units are around $1200. You might be best off getting an 8 3/4, preferably with a suregrip chunk.

[1972 Charger SE]

Was looking at my rear end and think it's a dana 60, what is your say?

[70charger_boy]

Looks like a 7 1/4 to me

[Nacho-RT74]

7 1/4 is stright on bottom and filler plug area is not that humped

[70charger_boy]

do u think its a dana natcho?

[terrible one]

It looks like a Dana to me. . .

[Ghoste]

Why don't you just count the number of bolts holding the cover on?  It looks like a Dana to me.

[1972 Charger SE]

Yeah, just counted the bolts and its a dana, hell of a combo 360 hidraulic engine & dana 60 rear end, thanks