upgrading to a 8.25 rear end from 7.25. what to know?

It doesn't look like anything more then typical rear-end oil? They say need gone so of you want to drive that far offer them $100 for it.
 
Just did this entire swap. Will need drive shaft, shock plates w/rubber isolators as well as U-bolts for 8.25 as 7.25 are too small. Will need 8.25 brake backing plates if you don't have them. 7.25 parking brake cable, both sides fits as well. I kept the stock leaf's but replaced ALL bushings, front and rear.

I totally rebuilt diff with new gears, bearings, seals, and Yukon sure grip unit. All bolted in......and so far so good !!
 
prowler said:
Just did this entire swap. Will need drive shaft, shock plates w/rubber isolators as well as U-bolts for 8.25 as 7.25 are too small. Will need 8.25 brake backing plates if you don't have them. 7.25 parking brake cable, both sides fits as well. I kept the stock leaf's but replaced ALL bushings, front and rear.

I totally rebuilt diff with new gears, bearings, seals, and Yukon sure grip unit. All bolted in......and so far so good !!
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He'll only need to deal with the driveshaft length and speedometer gear for the different axle ratio. After 80/81 the 7 1/4 axle tubes are the 8 1/4 diameter so U bolts, brackets and shock plates are the same.

Backing plates are the same. The easiest way to do the swap is to pull the axle shafts, unbolt the backing plates and leave them along with the lines and the rest of the brake parts with the car, unless the new axle has 11" brakes and you want the upgrade or the original brakes and lines on the car are junk and going to be replaced anyway.
 
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