Driveline offset

[68snewpy]

I'm scrapping the 7 1/4 rear in my Duster in favour of a Ferd 8.8 from and explorer.  Now, before you get all pissey on me I can't find anything mopar around here at a decent price and this rear has 3.73 gears and limited slip already.  The pinion is offset about 2.5" to the right.  I may have to narrow the long side and install another short side axle (this results in stock a-body width).  I am hoping to install as is and was wondering what the problems might be.  I can live with the extra width and I know that the drive line is offset to the right in a-bodies anyway but not sure how much.  Any predictions of insight would be appreciated.

[mopowers]

I cut my Dana 60 down to have a 1 5/16" pinion offset.  I bet anywhere from 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" will be fine.

[74duster383]

When I installed my engine and tranny last year using a motor plate I had to research this as well so I knew how far to off set it.  If I remember correctly the engine is offset to the right (passenger side) 2 1/2 inches.

[MVRCorp]

Having an offset is important to the life of the u-joints. If it was a perfect straight line thru the driveline from the harmonic balancer to the rear end all the stress would be on a few needle bearings as there would be no movement at the u-joints.

[Nitrous340dart]

When I was narrowing my D60 i talked with Chris Alston chassie works and Strange, they said that having the pinion centered in the rear end would be ok as long as I had pinion angle off set a few degrees.  I dont plan on putting a lot of miles on the car.  But if I was build a street car I would probably had the pinion off set a little.

[illfish]

I think the Ford 8.8 is a great way to go.  Real tough rear end.

[abqdart]

  I almost did the same swap! Cant really go wrong. When you get it in take a shit load of pics and post.....let us know how it goes.