Another 8.8 Question

[65Project]

I have been reading the forum for a few months now and greatly appreciate all the tips and information that is provided. I am doing a ground up on the mustang and am in the early stages. The car is a primered shell sitting on jack stands. Now that the rust is gone I am wanting to start suspension.

I have read over and over, to just go to a 8 or 9 inch rear end. I have a fox body 8.8 with the gears already in my garage for another project. In order to save money I want to know if anyone can tell me why this will not work? Here are the facts that I know: A 65 & 66 rear end are 57.25" overall width. The 8.8 rear that I have is 59.75 overall width. The coil spring mounts will need to be cut off and leaf spring mounts will need to be added. With the added width of the rear I could run a newer bullitt mustang wheel with 5.75 back spacing to off set at least 2 of the 2.5 inch difference in width. I am quoting this from the chart Dodgestang had compiled (excellent source of information). I also know that I can change the 4 to a 5 lug for less that 150.00, the newer bullitt wheels are cheaper in 17X8 than the TTII's in 17 used off E-bay. I know the drive shaft will probably need to be changed but I am changing to a T-5 eventually anyway.

Can anyone tell me if this has been done before or can anyone give me a good reason not to go down this path? The 8" that I have would need gears and a complete rebuild. I hope to be pushing between 300 - 400 hp when completed from a 5.0 motor.

Sorry to ramble on but I would appreciate additional thoughts if I am missing anything.

 

[PickupMan]

I was in the process of installing an 8.8 from an explorer into my 66 but it's on hold for now. Everyone I ask this question to tells me the same thing...nothing!!! I don't understand why?? this is not a difficult project to do. i will try to help you as much as I can. From what i've read it sounds like you have the basics down. you know what yo need to do to make the thing fit and work. I would check the pinion angle on your 8" so you know where to set the angle on the 8.8" rear. make sure your back spacing is going to fit before you weld everyting up solid. Remember measure twice cut once. If you want I'll sell you my Explorer rear with the rear disc setup, 3:55 gears for $200 and all you have to do is move the mounting pads. let me know

 

[rhyno9]

Can anyone tell me if this has been done before or can anyone give me a good reason not to go down this path?

No. It's your car you should do what you want with it.

If you know how to weld then the rear should only cost you about 15 dollars for spring perches. If you want to convert to five lug you can do that quite inexpensively. I picked up 5 lug axles for 15.49 each on 1/2 price day at the pick-n-pull. I already had the rear calipers w/pads and brackets and rotors from a mark VII which I also got on 1/2 price day for about $50 total. All I need is $20 for the steel plate so I can fab the brackets. I paid $50 for the complete 3.08 trac loc 8.8 91 fox body rear.

If you add that up it is less than a set off gears. I am at an advantage because I have a 68 which is only a 1/4 inch shorter than the fox rear.

 

[brianj5600]

I got my axles at a jy out of two ranger pu's. Aerostars have one axle that is the right length too. Re drilled my 4 lug drums. All pretty cheap and easy. Most people in the classic forum are not very open minded when it comes to 8.8s. They are cheap, parts are cheap, they are lighter and more eficient than a 9in and no one on this forum has enough power to break one. I have less than $200 in mine. Your plan sounds great to me. Go for it!

 

[68rustang]

I am using an 8.8 out of a 95 GT for many of the reasons you have listed. The only advantage I have is that my car is a 68. If you plan on using bullit wheels it sounds like you should be just fine. The Big downside to using the explorer 8.8's as opposed to the mustang is the pininon is offset to one side something like 4", BUT they have 5lug discs and usually decent gears.

 

[65Project]

Thank you all for the input and confirming that I am not going down a bad path. Especially the offer of an explorer rear end but I will have to pass at this time. Thanks anyway.

I appreciate all the added insight. The rear I have is from an 88 Mustang with 4.10 gears probably a little to low but I want to try them out for now. I am going to stay with the drums until I get the car on the road and change to 4 wheel disks later on.

Again thanks for the insight I am sure I will be posting again to get more information.

 

[brianj5600]

Keep us posted.

 

[GaPonyFarm]

Just be absolutely certian that you have the correct pinion angle setup, when you well on the new leaf spring perches... You might to farm that out to a drivetrain shop... its just simple math and welding, so they shouldn't charge too much. It does need to be correctly done, though.