8.8 Rearend

jarrettdad · 05-02-2008, 11:55 PM

What is the best vehicle to do this swap from and does anyone know of a site that has a step by step in the process? Cosider my skillset and tools/facilities limited.....

Tried search and got nothing?

gotstang · 05-03-2008, 03:01 PM

There is no 'perfect' candidate for a '65-66, but a fox-body 8.8" is the perfect length for a '67-'70. You have to torch off all the sway bar and coil spring stuff and weld on new spring perches at the proper distance and angle, then swap the rear yoke on your driveshaft for the one for the 8.8". Then, use 80s Ranger/Areostar brakes and axles for a 5-lug swap and it's done.

Could be *very* cheap, I've seen posi 8.8s being given away, axles and brakes are a $75 or so junkyard item, and having it set-up for leaf springs should be under $125 from a shop.
HTH
--Kyle

JohnnyK · 05-03-2008, 04:31 PM

Once you'rs stupid like me and go for the disc brakes, then the price starts climbing... substantially.

ponyman_66 · 05-03-2008, 06:20 PM

IIRC the Fox-body '86-93 were the correct width for the '65-66. Cheapest 5-lug conversion would be the Ranger brake/axle swap or other conversions exist.

The SN95 ('94-04) are wider (because of ABS) and a better match for '67-73. They should already come with 5-lug and disc brakes.

For both, cut off the Fox/SN95 bracketry and weld on leaf spring perches at a ~2-3* pinion angle.

You can also swap in a conventional pinion flange onto the axle from a Ford truck (~$20 on eBay) ... that way you don't have to adapt a Mustang disc-style 4-bolt pinion flange to your driveshaft.

I'm putting a 8.8 in my '70 track car, but going to make it a 3-link/coilover/panhard setup.

Turdburgler · 05-03-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponyman_66

IIRC the Fox-body '86-93 were the correct width for the '65-66. Cheapest 5-lug conversion would be the Ranger brake/axle swap or other conversions exist.

The SN95 ('94-04) are wider (because of ABS) and a better match for '67-73. They should already come with 5-lug and disc brakes.

The Fox axle is the same legth as the 67-68.

Its an inch WIDER then the 65-66.

stangg · 05-03-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

The SN95 ('94-04) are wider (because of ABS) and a better match for '67-73. They should already come with 5-lug and disc brakes.

94-98 are about 1.5" wider than a 79-93 Fox body drum brake rear end. The added width was for the disk brakes which became standard. The 8.8 housings are the same ~85 to 98.

The 99-04 rear ends are wider by another couple/few more inches...

I have an '89 fox body rear end that I converted with 94-98 axles and disc brakes. With the Bullit rims having a deeper backspace the whole setup fits perfectly under a 68.

Midlife · 05-03-2008, 09:42 PM

Didn't the Fox body rear axle only come with 4-lug axles, or are there 5-lug replacements available?

Personally, I don't understand the fascination with the 8.8" rear end, as I've been told it is not nearly as strong as the 8" and especially the 9" rear end.

jarrettdad · 05-03-2008, 10:08 PM

Damn, so I'll go with the fox body. I have a donor Mark VII that I was hoping to use.

Car Craft says that the Faox Body is 31/64ths wider than a stock Ford 8in.

jarrettdad · 05-03-2008, 10:09 PM

Here's a good article Midlife...

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...end/index.html

jarrettdad · 05-03-2008, 10:10 PM

stangg since we've been sharing so much can you share your parts list on that swap?

stangg · 05-03-2008, 10:30 PM

Midlife, the 8.8s went back to 5 lug in '94. In my case I the rear end was practically free until I decided to upgrade it.

Jarretsdad, my application probably isn't a good reference since I made a rear subframe to hook up the 4 link and use coil over shocks as opposed to leafsprings. Also I was able to use the stock Fox driveshaft since my engine sits about 3-4 inches back from stock...

If you already have the Mach VII rear end with disk brakes, then I think you are good to go. IIRC the rear end housing is the same as the fox mustang and T-Bird, the axles should be the same as the 94-98 Mustangs. With the added width, the only concern would be wheels. If you run something like the Bullit wheels with 5.72 back spacing then you should be fine. There are a ton of wheel options, just about any late model mustang wheel should work. For the front your probably going to need wheel spacers to compensate for the deeper wheel backspace.

jarrettdad · 05-03-2008, 10:36 PM

Dude you are so gonna be my bestest buddy.

I want to use everything I can from the Mark VII.

gotstang · 05-03-2008, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrettdad

Dude you are so gonna be my bestest buddy.

I want to use everything I can from the Mark VII.

Good plan!

I'd toss the Mk7 axles and use ranger axles and some brake adapter brackets...volia, a fox-body rear with Mk7 discs

Oh *****...I have one of those in my junk pile...thanks for the idea!

jarrettdad · 05-03-2008, 11:07 PM

I'm already using the 5.0 and AOD. Now I'm going to keep the 8.8. Anything else I can use?

Driveshaft? E-Brake setup?

stangg · 05-03-2008, 11:18 PM

No need to rework the Mach VII brakes / axles if he plans to use late model wheels... I haven't rolled my rear quarter and have about 5/8" clearance. If the same holds true with the Mach VII rear, he could possibly get away with rolling the quarters, to fit even the mach 7 wheels underneath... but I think those are only 16 x 7" wide rims. The best thing to do is measure the outside tire to tire on both rear end setups to insure you have good clearance.