1965 Mustang Rearend Advice

S

sinisterstang65

Member

Apr 4, 2010

49

0

7

STL, MO

Jun 4, 2010

#1

• Jun 4, 2010

• #1

I currently am running a 8.8 w/ 3.55 gears in my 65 stang with a 351W, and someone mentioned that you could put a cobra IRS rearend in a 65, but being 4 inches longer than the overall housing length, you would have to have alot bigger flange for it to clear? Is that a bunch of nonsense or is it possible? If no other choice, we might buy a 8.8 out of a explorer, but what years will work, and also what years of a versailles will work as well???

Heres the IRS rear for sale....Cobra IRS with 4.10 gears

 

tx65coupe

Active Member

Nov 29, 1999

1,551

1

37

Jun 6, 2010

#2

• Jun 6, 2010

• #2

I'm running a 78 Versailles in mine and it fits great. The Versailles was only made from 77-80 I think. All the Versailles are the same. You can also get the same rear end out of some Granadas.

I don't see how the IRS setup would work if its that much wider. Personally I wouldn't want it anyway.

 

K

kttrucks

Member

Apr 28, 2008

57

0

6

Tennessee

Jun 9, 2010

#3

• Jun 9, 2010

• #3

That IRS is going to give you a 63 inch track width..... measure what's there and compare.... I bet you'll talk yourself out of it pretty quick... not to mention the suspension mounting points that you'll have to make... this is major surgery, and you're better off going with an IRS thats made for an early Mustang... I think Heidts has one...

Same advice on the explorer axel, they're wider but come with limited slip and disc brakes after 1997.

K.

 

C

Cobra ssc

Member

May 31, 2006

80

0

7

Austin, TX

Jun 9, 2010

#4

• Jun 9, 2010

• #4

If you already have a 8.8 in the car, it is not even worth switching to a 9 inch. The 8.8 is plenty strong enough, uses less horsepower, and still has many options/upgrades that can enhance it.

 

R

rdmcalli

Member

Jan 7, 2006

14

2

13

Feb 21, 2011

#5

• Feb 21, 2011

• #5

A few guys have put Cobra IRS in early Mustangs and Mercurys as seen here & here. The problem is that 65-66 cars will need the quarters flared a lot!

I know up to 2001 the Explorer solid axle is ~59.5", but I do not know about the Explorer 2002 and up IRS. Have you made any progress with the Explorer IRS?

 

D

danny clemens

Member

May 4, 2005

728

0

16

Feb 21, 2011

#6

• Feb 21, 2011

• #6

The 57 thru 59 Ford car 9" is a good fit also.