8.25 swap into 86 M body

[white86fifth]

I just bought a chrysler 8.25 rear end from a jeep to swap into my 86 fifth ave and get rid of the 7.25. I’ve pulled the shafts already and everything looked fairly clean inside. I’m going to cut all the mounting stuff off soon. Anyone here done the swap? any suggestions or tips? thanks for your time.

 

[Duke5A]

You're going to have to have the perches relocated and maybe even the axle cut down. At that rate you should have started with a Ford 8.8 with disc breaks.

Do you have an axle shop anywhere near you? Easiest is to take both the new and old axles and tell them to match the dimensions and shaft angle.

 

[white86fifth]

You're going to have to have the perches relocated and maybe even the axle cut down. At that rate you should have started with a Ford 8.8 with disc breaks.

Do you have an axle shop anywhere near you? Easiest is to take both the new and old axles and tell them to match the dimensions and shaft angle.

What do you mean cut down? Like the axle is too wide? I already planned on cutting off all mounts

 

[80mirada]

Cherokee 8.25 is only 1/2 inch wider than the late M/ J body one, according to the the Jeep forums

 

[Mikes5thAve]

With both axles there it's worth measuring to be sure.

 

[Duke5A]

Cherokee 8.25 is only 1/2 inch wider than the late M/ J body one, according to the the Jeep forums

In total, so 1/4" per side? That really isn't that bad.

 

[80mirada]

I think the peaches are supposed to be at 44 inches, they came with 3.07, 3.55 or 4.10 gears, and 29 spline axels.

 

[prowler]

I'm just completing my swap as well. Swap was for a 77 LeBaron. Mine acquired 8.25 had the 2.45 ratio and I wanted the 2.76's that mine came with so I had to replace everything inside the case. Now sure grip w/2.76's, all new everything. If your 7.25 had the 3" axle tubes your shock plates will interchange. The early one's as mine was, was 2.5 inch so I had to locate the shock plate assembly for 8.25.