installing gears in a i believe 8 1/4 rearend

[texas charger 73]

73 base coupe charger.. 318/904. i believe it has a 8 1/4 rear end in it.. i want to add lower gears because i bet it has like 2.91 or some crap like that in it,, are they hard to install and set up? also would it be better to go 3:55 or 4:10?   is there upgraded axles for these rear ends?

[moparnation74]

Really, depends on your mechanical ability and access to tools.

Going from a 2.91 to a 4.10  is a big difference.  Especially, for a small block mopar.  Ideally, 3.55 for an upgrade will be your best all around gear.  That is my opinion however.

If you have the abilities and tools it is not a painstaking change.

I see in you profile you are in Burleson.  Plano Texas here, my friend.  Always here to help.

[texas charger 73]

I have decent mechanical knowledge. I mean I completely rebuilt a 4.6 mod motor in my old 96 mustanf gt with just a Haynes manual.  But I haven't messed with a lot ofnrear ends.  I think the 3:55 will be better because of driveability. This is being restored for takingbthe family to car shows and late night nice cream cruises and stuff. 4:10 I think is more of a weekend strip gear. Heck yeah. I may pic your brain a bit. If you for Facebook you can add me shaun Hoisington

[texas charger 73]

Also access to which tools? Like a press or calipers or something along those lines?

[moparnation74]

Sent you a PM

[RallyeMike]

Setting up axle gears has to be done very carefully or you end up with a costly disaster. And, yes, there are replacement alloy axles for an 8-1/4.

I have to say though, if you are going to spend the kind of dough for gears, bearings, and axles (not cheap!) I would very, very seriously consider finding an 8-3/4 axle to upgrade, and then swap THAT in.

[1974dodgecharger]

What mike just said....I worked on mine a whole day trying to figure out backlash and pre load etc...it pissed me off.  I replaced all the bearings, nuts, bolts on my 8 3/4 installed a used sure grip and at the end of the day I got so pissed I kinda, 'settled' for a set amount of backlash only because I was reading the manual wrong it said 20inch lbs and I was thinking 20ft -lbs I didn't have my old man glasses on when I was reading.

Long story short I put in the car and damn sure enough I leave tread marks on both wheels I was happy and no so called, 'clunk' as they say.  im sure I could of got the backlash better, but im happy. 

Would I do it again?  Maybe, but would depend on finances, but now I got a press that sits in the corner that was 100 bucks...

[texas charger 73]

I think I'm gonna buy the gear and then pay to have them installed.

[moparnation74]

What mike just said....I worked on mine a whole day trying to figure out backlash and pre load etc...it pissed me off.  I replaced all the bearings, nuts, bolts on my 8 3/4 installed a used sure grip and at the end of the day I got so pissed I kinda, 'settled' for a set amount of backlash only because I was reading the manual wrong it said 20inch lbs and I was thinking 20ft -lbs I didn't have my old man glasses on when I was reading.

Long story short I put in the car and damn sure enough I leave tread marks on both wheels I was happy and no so called, 'clunk' as they say.  im sure I could of got the backlash better, but im happy. 

Would I do it again?  Maybe, but would depend on finances, but now I got a press that sits in the corner that was 100 bucks...

One simple mistake can be devastating!

With good mechanical skills and tools it can be done at home.  Be wary of "shops" make sure you find a good one to do the install.

[texas charger 73]

I had a friend put my gears in my mustang and I ran it hard. But he has since moved to Kentucky.