The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Well heres my current situation, 318/w a 904 trans coupled with a 741 rear with open 3.23 on 14 inch wheels. My current plans are to go with a 360/w a 727 trans coupled to a...? My understanding of the 8.75 rearend is that theres 3 different carriers for it, the light duty '741, and then the stronger '742 and the '489's. I thought it was possible to swap between the carriers as long as you swap the corresponding yoke respective to each trans (for ex. the 7260 UJ from the 904 for the 7290 UJ for the 727). Am I forgetting axle splines here or is this non-relavent? To make a confusing question a little more clear - with my current setup can I swap to a '742 or '489 with the 904/318 and still use it when I upgrade to my 360/727 setup? Please forgive my ignornace in the matter! Cheers.

You can swap out carriers as long as you make sure the carrier has the same size yoke as your driveshaft has. But this is not a must as they're also selling conversion U-joints to go from small yoke at the driveshaft to big yoke at the carrier. Or the other way around. I'm using such a U-joint also and it works fine.

But when swapping the 904 for a 727 you'll need a shorter? driveshaft. Don't know if there's a difference between the slip yokes of the 904/727.

So swapping rears isn't a problem. I swapped from a open 741 to a suregrip 742 also, just remembered when writing this. If you go and built a real smallblock, make sure to change to the stronger carrier.

I had to shorten and balance my drive shaft when I went from a 904 to 727. Needed a new yoke as well. Still haven't got the beastie on the road yet, but have a feeling the 741 rear end will not be long for the world.

Thanks Hans, cleared that up for me. The 727 does require a shorter driveshaft. If I end up going with that 360 setup I'll definetly go with w/one of the stronger carriers.