8.8 swap question

[Rusty67]

Ok, first off I did a search and didn't find what I needed.

I have read that the 8.8 from the pre 99 cars are narrower than the 99-04 8.8's. Can I swap in an 8.8 from a 94/95 GT into my 2000 V6 without worrying about tire rub or other clearance problems ?

 

[03ghoststang]

i dont remember on how short the axle tubes are on the 94-98 compared to the 99+ but i believe that its was about 5/16" on each end but not too sure on that

 

[Rusty67]

I'm not really worried about it as long as its not gonna cause a clearance issue.

 

[hotrodnut]

Ok, first off I did a search and didn't find what I needed.

I have read that the 8.8 from the pre 99 cars are narrower than the 99-04 8.8's. Can I swap in an 8.8 from a 94/95 GT into my 2000 V6 without worrying about tire rub or other clearance problems ?

I'm not sure of how much narrower either but I've heard an inch? There will be no clearance issues with stock wheels but it will be tucked in more so than it already is of course. Using a 9" wide wheel with a 10-15 mm offset or a 10" wide with 0 offset would be perfect for moving the wheel out towards the fender lip and still not have any rubbing issues using the early rearends.

One other thing is the mounting holes for the lower control arms on the earlier versions are too small for the bolts of the newer version on the GT's and Mach's and will need to be drilled out to fit. I'm not sure if that is the case on your Mustang though.

 

[Rusty67]

I don't think the bolt hole size will be an issue for me, I'm geting a free set of lakewood rear control arms with the rear end.

As for the rims, right now they are stock but I'm going to be using the 17x8 2001 Bullitt rims. We already have the rims but are waiting until the ruber on those 16's is shot.

 

[elite130]

It will fit. The 99-04 axles are 1.5" (or 3/4" on each side) wider than the 94-98's. They will fit just fine, except for the bolt holes as you all have already discussed. I have heard many many people do this, both put 99-04 on a 94-98 and visa-versa.

 

[Rusty67]

Sweet, thanx for the info.

=-)

 

[Mustang5L5]

It will work, but picture your wheels now sucked in 3/4" each side.

I hate how sucked in my bullitts look now with the stock 99+ rear end, i can't imagine running a narrower 94-98 rear. I was considering 1" spacers just to push them out more.

 

[Rusty67]

I don't really care about the looks, if I need to I'll put a set of spacers on it. The only thing that worries me is wheel rub and that should not be a problem.