question for the dodge Gurus

[Mitch496]

Im trying to find out what sort of rear end comes in a 79 lil red express.I know its equipped with a 3.55 sure grip or whatever they called there posi but I have no idea what rear it is.Dana60? 8 3/4? can anyone help me out?

 

[motomech]

9.25 rear end

 

[Bonehead]

I have a 77 4x4 1/2 ton that has a 9.25 rear axle. I am not sure what the lil red express had though.

 

[Mitch496]

thanks for the info

Im thinking of swappng this rear end into my 77 chevy half ton if it isnt to difficult a swap and is a good strong rear end

 

[motomech]

it was the best half ton axle dodge made back then should be pretty strong

 

[Bonehead]

it was the best half ton axle dodge made back then should be pretty strong

I agree, Lots of people have told me the same thing.

 

[Mitch496]

bolt pattern?

any idea on the bolt pattern? I guess I can just have it redrilled for the chevy bolt pattern

 

[cycledog]

I have one in my stash, I'll measure and get back to you.

 

[FlatBroke]

The "Lil Red Express" should have a bolt pattern of 5 on 5, The same as the Fords of the same year.

It shouldn't be too pricey to have the axles redrilled with the 5 on 4 3/4 bolt pattern.

 

[cycledog]

The "Lil Red Express" should have a bolt pattern of 5 on 5, The same as the Fords of the same year.

It shouldn't be too pricey to have the axles redrilled with the 5 on 4 3/4 bolt pattern.

looks like my 9.25 is 4.5, but its from a regular 1/2 ton not a Red Wagon, which is probably different.

 

[FlatBroke]

I'm not 100% on that myself.
Just something to look for.

 

[motomech]

the lil red wagon did not get a special axle all its own its just a regular 9.25 and 3.55's
and dodges always seemed really wide to me so check the width of the axles too

 

[R Pope]

'79 Dodges and this includes your Lil' Red had the same bolt pattern as Dodge cars and Ford cars. They didn't get the Ford truck pattern til the early '80's, when the 4x4's required locking hubs that won't fit through the small holes in the center of the old wheels.

 

[24dodge]

if it is the original rear, it should be a dana 60 with 3:54 limited slip , i`m no expert I got that off another site

 

[24dodge]

bolt pattern should be 5 x 4 1/2

 

[Mitch496]

thanks

Thanks for all the info.I think Im going to keep the rear for my truck and the motor and transmission for a future project and Im not sure what with the rest of the truck.

 

[BruceR&C]

Now if you ever need to find a new home for that eng & tranny,,,,,

 

[Mitch496]

Lil Red

I think I need a new home for the whole thing,I dont think Ill have time to be messing with it anytime soon.going to be concentrating on getting everything together for my elcamino

 

[DodgeRatty]

If the diff cover is the shape of a stop sign- it's a 9-1/4 (or 9.25) should have 3.55 gears. No Lil Red ever came with a Dana 60 rear.

 

[hi-roller]

don't forget that mopars have the drive train offset to the right. and is it really worth getting rid of the express? they're a pretty sought after item.