Suregrip Shocking prices

Thought I might pickup a 3:23 suregrip for my 8 3/4.

Holy Moses.  I was shocked to learn the current going rate for them.  Ebay or craigslist - Pumpkins, pieces, parts or anything in between are hundreds higher than I expected.

One more thing to budget for - or NOT.  
:-)
Are there any recommended alternatives?  Or just suck it up and stop my whining?     

Thanks.

richmond gear makes a product called "powertrax". these units turn an open diff into a posi at a reasonable cost. and considering most 8 3/4 diff's are worn and require large amounts of upgrade this unit is a bargain. quite sure they have a version for our 8 3/4 rears and now they are starting to come up with a few more gear ratio combos. you will need to know what carrier you have. last 3 digits of the casting number tell you, 741, 742, or 489. best one is the 489 if you can find one. all bolt into the housing so don't be scared to look under any dodge, plymouth, or chrysler product and check the casting number.

I would not be in a hurry to buy it start lookihg around the swap meets and junk yards you will be supprised how cheap you can find them Most likley you have a 741 rear, the 489 center also requires a larger u-joint no big deal do you need the posi ?? do you know what gears are in yours ?? it's on the vin plate.

Thanks, jkr/dix.

I googled a bit and found that Detroit Powertrax unit for the 8 3/4 you mentioned.
http://www.powertrax.com/index.php/products/lock-right/installation-l
A good to know option at around $425.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pwt-1240-lr/overview/


It's a 741 (oops correction - 3/8/2013 I peeked it's a 489) with 3:55 gears.  I replaced all the axle bearings and seals 2 years ago.  Tapered, not green.  It needs a pinion seal, and I want to have the driveline converted to u-joint.  (Good riddance to the ball and no-fun trunnion!)

I would like the higher 3:23 gearing for freeway speeds. I know the 489 and 742 are the preferred pumpkins.  

I'll do that.  Keep my eyes peeled, check the swap meets, etc. No rush. (Unfortunately, most all junk yards around here have few early iron, and if they do it's been picked to the bone.)

Well, it has been about 10 years since I last bought one.  ($300 no problem back then)
Just surprised me to see them going for...
$500-700 on craigslist.
$700-$1300 on ebay.

Thanks.

start with craigs list Mopar 8 3/4 / and mopar start looking there , once you find some one with parts send him a reply looking for a rear end center that's how i find my parts.
The racing world do not use a 3.23 so they swap them out and they sit on a shelf,
send out the measage and some one will reply,



http://reno.craigslist.org/pts/4348145219.html

try looking here , what you are looking for a lot of people here would like,
so look where the people who have them will not use them, (Racers)
http://www.racingjunk.com/

Just tossing this out there , but isn't that 3:55 ratio something wanted by the street guys? Just wondering if you might should advertise a swap or something like that? I think Dix was busy while I was typing . on the same page tho, LOL

Digz you are correct, the 3:55 gears are desired by some, my guess is his is not a posi unit , so if the posi is not important then some one would do a swap, I had a 3:55 in mine and wanted to drop to the 3:23 , I found a ton of them at a large mopar race/swap meet last fall for $50.00 , I installed that to keep the rpm's down and keep engine temps down, So when i find a 3:23 with a sure grip/ posi at the right price i'll buy it but not at $ 500.00 to $750.00 . like i stated earlier we just have to look at places that have them and will not use them, Most of the racers remove parts and put them on the shelf, So That is the people I send the replys or e-mails to and this really works well ,
Just my 2 cents

Posi is one of those things you've just gotta cough up the cash for if you want it…  Those 8&3/4 3rd members are highly sought after by mopar guys for their muscle cars, so they are in high demand.  

Posi units for GM rear 10 or 12 bolt axles are not cheap either, for the same reason they are in high demand from the muscle car, or classic truck guys. Our 10 bolt rear ends are the same as camaro or chevelle, and the 12 bolts are used in the 1/2 ton trucks, so needless to say, lots of guys are wanting them for their hot rod projects.  Usually about $400.  If you can find one for less dough, consider yourself lucky.

The only 8&3/4 posi I found on my local craigslist was $400, seems like a fair price to me.  Includes the 3rd member center section with 3.91 gears.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/pts/4362088365.html

The 3:23 suregrip were in the big boats the new yorker , Imperials, and such

Awesome info from you guys.  Great advice that I will put to use.  Armed with info and insight it's going to save me money in the long run.

And when the group saves me money, time and headache, that's when I start looking for the donate button!



Correction - I actually have a 489 case  - 3:55 gears.

(story time)
I remember NOW.  2yrs ago - when I rebuilt the rear-end, I bought an old D100 pickup that had a 489 in it.  Swapped out with my 741.  (also snagged the 11" rear brake backing plates and sold it with 10".)  Why?  I used to be into Dodge Town Wagons. Sold my last one a year or so ago. Dang - also just noticed I have a D100 pickup Scarebird kit on the shelf.  (extra set of powdercoated hubs too)

here is a place for the d100 parts.

http://www.sweptline.org/forums/index.php

as i mentioned earlier if you find an older sure grip that is in more or less original condition it will and i stress "WILL" need more maintance than you think. the cones wear and clutch material deteriorates, and those parts are the price of a powertrax unit new...

another possible choice is auburn gear. i believe they have units avaliable for these rear diffs. if there is a local dragstrip in your area look up the stock and superstock class guys as they are the best ones to discuss what works on the strip and might apply for you. of course a spool is not an option.

Expect to spend in the 4-500 range for any new posi/ trutrac unit without the ring and pinion gears for any rearend not including the installation kit you will need that has all the bearings and pinion crush sleeve and seals, marking compound etc.. Also you may as well I would also replace the axle bearings and seals as well and thats more $$. Only place you can really save these days is to do the labor yourself and I usually don't recommend that if you have never set up a rear end and don't have the proper tools. If you want to tackle it yourself this is a good place to start.

http://www.differentials.com/technical-help/installation-instructions

I have a rear axle from my old A 100 pickup and it's a 741 suregrip with 3:91 gears. Only thing is it's in Tennessee and shipping would be pretty bad. As well as crating and all that includes. The truck it came out of was a real junker that's been sitting since the 70's. I have no ideal of the condition and would want to take it apart to see before I'd sell it. If anybody is interested in it let me know and I'll have a look.

Duane in Tennessee.

Duane,
What would you want for your 391?
I have a 323 in mine now and wouls like to step up to a 355 or 391.
I took a 430 out and replaced it with the 323 which I had laying around.
What part of Tenn. are you in?
Tim

Indeed, I'll let the pro's take care of any rebuild type of needs. And yeah, shipping chunks like this around the country is not my preference either. Hope penta and econo are able to swing a local swap. VV rules.

I have no idea what I want for it. I need to see what kind of condition it's in first. It could be a rusted pile of scrap. I'll pull the chunk when I get a chance and see. I'm in West Tennessee, Jackson TN to be exact, right on I 40, 120 miles from Nashville and 80 from Memphis. Pretty good ways from you.

Duane in Tennessee

Patience grasshopper.  That's what worked for getting a non-posi anyway.    
I picked up a 3.23 non-Posi for $40 off craigslist.
At least I can go to 3.23 vs 3.56 for freeway.
I'm still waiting in the wings for a posi.