I feel they are very durable axles, you don't hear of many failing

 

The 8.25 was used in the Shelby Dakota as I recall.... Good for a pickup, but marginal for towing or heavy loads of a van or fullsize truck carrying load consistantly.

 

Does anyone have specs on this axle as far as spring perch center to center and the distance from backing plate to backing plate? Thanks.

 

The carrier bearing preload is adjustable with threaded rings.
Much better than shims IMO.

 

The 8.25 is a strong axle. What are you putting in to keep in mind the width. The 8.25 was installed in more then just shelby dakota (which was underpowered). It came stock in all v8 dakotas from 92-02. It also came under several muscle cars and rams in 70s and 80s. And jeeps too. Its streanth is related to the size of its ring gear. It is compairable to a stock dana 44 (its only 1/4in bigger). And bigger then chevy 10bolt that came in mostly everything from v8 trucks to v8 carmaros. I belive it was offroad magazine that said it. I have a 8.25 under my truck. And I have a 5.9 magnum, and I push that truck to its limits. It is great for towing too. And as for specs on it. It depends what its comming out of!

 

It would be going under a 1955 International R-100 2wd truck. It would be getting an IFS front suspension, V-8 engine and auto tranny. Leaning towards a Chevy 5.3 or 6.0engine, because of compactness of accessory drives. I don't think horsepower will be any more that factory setting, so it is not like the axle will need to be bulletproof. Just heard these axles were almost a bolt in deal and stock axle is probably not up to any V-8 power.

 

yeah it'd do just fine. theres 2 versions also. one with 27 spline axles and one with 29. correct me if im wrong but theres a tag on the top i believe with the number stamped into it telling which is which. my friend with a cherokee has the 29 spline which is stronger than the 27 spline axle.

 

the tag on under a bolt on the diff cover has the gear ratio stamped on it.
hot rod did a big comparison on rear axles a few years ago and the 8 1/4 is weaker then the mopar 8 3/4 and 9 1/4, ford 9", and chevy 12 bolt. they said it was good for about 300hp. unless its locked or you doing launches with slicks