01 axle into my 81

SVT32VDOHC · Aug 6, 2007

I am using the 01 GT solid axle in my 81 notchback. I know it will go in, I know it is longer....blah blah blah....but I am ordering wheels soon, and I am gonna go FR500 17X9 front ,and FR500 17X10.5 in the rear. Tire is a Nitto Drag 315-35-R17. How much do you think they will stick out?? Do 17X8's or 17X9's already stick out with the newer rear end???

If ANYBODY has a 94-98 or 99-04 solid axle in their fox body, please post a picture from the side and rear....thank you!!

85_SS_302_Coupe · Aug 6, 2007

Well i'm gonna guess on this 'cause i don't really know for sure, but maybe my guess will help. I'm thinking that since the axles themselves are 3/4 inch longer than stock, the axle is a total of 1.5 inches wider. You could probably assume that the wheels will both stick out at least 3/4 more on each side with the '01 axle. If you wanted to correct this i would order wheels with about 1 inch more back spacing to compensate.

Make sense?

SVT32VDOHC · Aug 6, 2007

Yes makes sense. The Cobra R wheel has a 5.95 backspacing. The 17X10.5 has 6.84. I read the tech at american muscle, but I'm still not too sure on what to do. I guess it it stuck out too much, it wouldn't look too bad...any pics guys??

85_SS_302_Coupe · Aug 6, 2007

Sticking out is better than having them tucked into the wheel wells if you ask me...i can't stand that look.

SVT32VDOHC · Aug 6, 2007

True. I don't even need to order wheels for this project yet. I just want to so I can throw them on my 91 or my 96 until it's done. I guess I better wait until I actually put the 01 axle in my 81 and put my 17X9 Cobra R's from my Cobra on there, and go from there. It they don't look too bad, I will think about 10.5's... See I am staring at the 315's in my office right now, and I can't stand it, I want to order these wheels now!!!!

85_SS_302_Coupe · Aug 6, 2007

Yeah it really helps if you have a few friends who have the wheels you wanna try out. That way when you do the axle, if you don't have wheels to test fit you can borrow theirs.

Mustang5L5 · Aug 6, 2007

They will stick out 1.5" more than if you had drum brakes EACH side....so 3" total.

Look into 05+ spec wheels for the rear.

krallman · Aug 6, 2007

01 gt axles. They are really to long to run rear brakes so i plug off the rear brakes so these are this length without drums. They are aero 15x8 rims with a 4 inch back spacing. I should have went with 5. But the rear tires stick out a good bit more than the front and i couldnt imagine what it would look like with drums on. Not sure the size of the tire

SVT32VDOHC · Aug 7, 2007

OH my!!!! That is a lot!! Well, most wheels have a 5.85-6.00 backspacing, so will they sit in more??

85_SS_302_Coupe · Aug 7, 2007

Well at least you could run a 12 inch wide wheel

krallman · Aug 7, 2007

yeah if you got 6 in back spacing it would sit in there more, but i have about 2 inches before i get into the qaud shock. Then once you and the drum youll stick out some more. And if you go with ranger drums with the 01 axle youll have to grind out the center of the ranger drum. Have fun with that. Really its just best to pick up some ranger axles. It will look stupid with your rear wheels sticking out and your front wheels tucked under.

SVT32VDOHC · Aug 7, 2007

No Ranger axles on this project. I used them in my 91 notchback, but see this 81 notch I started....I am using the ENTIRE DRIVETRAIN out of an 01 GT, motor, trans, wiring, dash, suspension. The only thing on this car that will be fox is the body panels. Anyways, I am using the 01 GT axle because I want 5 lug disc, ABS and traction control. I am hooking everything up from my donor car!! I was gonna go 10.5 but now I am thinking of 17X9. I got the axle at my rear end shop as we speak. He is putting all new bearings, seals, and clutches in it and welding the tubes. When I get it back, I am painting and installing it. I will know soon enough.

cjnecessary · Aug 7, 2007

why dont you have your axel shop narrow the rear end? Around hear I can have it done for about 200 bones.

krallman · Aug 7, 2007

lol why are you doing everything from an 01. I mean thats cool and all but why all the extra work for not that much more performance.

Shakerhood · Aug 8, 2007

Besides being 3" Wider I am pretty sure the Control Arm Bolt Holes are a different Diameter than Fox's.

SVT32VDOHC · Aug 8, 2007

krallman said:
lol why are you doing everything from an 01. I mean thats cool and all but why all the extra work for not that much more performance.

Well check out these ground-shaking numbers for 1981.....

4.2L V8 - 119 HP
2.3L 4-popper - 88 HP
3.3L V6 - 94 HP

It will acutally be a bug difference when the 4.6L goes in. It will have 260HP, in a car that is 20 years older and roughly 300+ pounds lighter. Obviously a 96-04 Cobra swap would have been ideal, but trying to hunt down a Cobra that can be parted out would cost me double or triple the money I will have into this car. Plus I will have the newer interior too, so it will be really neat!

SVT32VDOHC · Aug 8, 2007

cjnecessary said:
why dont you have your axel shop narrow the rear end? Around hear I can have it done for about 200 bones.

Well, I could, and I thought about that, but then I would have to have them get new axles from Moser, which would be a good idea, but I am trying to keep the cost on certain things down. I will have a lot of money in other areas. I could always take it out at the end of 2008 and have them do it later.

krallman · Aug 8, 2007

Yeah im mean i understand that they were pretty weak in 81 but why through in an h.o., ranger rotors on the front, and ranger axles in the rear.

Shakerhood · Aug 9, 2007

Why not go with a 94-98 Rear instead, it will fit much better?

SVT32VDOHC · Aug 9, 2007

Well, I built my 91 notch and I used all factory 5.0L Mustangs parts into it, to bring it back. It started as a 4 cyl. This car I had a lot of fun building and driving, and now I want to build another notch, but completely different than the one I have.

I would use a 94-98 axle, but I don't have one in stock. I could always switch in the future when I get one...but for now that is what I am gonna use.

01 axle into my 81

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