Gear Install Questions...

[Glaxtx]

Hey guys, I've been around the site for a couple months now and am finally asking questions that I can't find through search. I've got a '90 LX with stock 2.73 gears right now, and I'm swapping in 3.73's. I won't be doing the swap myself, but I've got someone who MIGHT do it for me. He brought up a few things that I've never heard about, but I'm sure you guys will know the answers. He first mentioned that going from a 2 to a 3 series that I would have problems with abs. He said there is an abs module right on top of the differential that will be in the way once you swap. I'm wondering, with rear drums, will I even have abs? May be a stupid question, but I'm really new to Mustangs. He also mentioned that the shims will carry everything over too far, and he may have to custom grind the carrier housing. I haven't read anything about anyone doing that. It seems to be a pretty easy swap if you know Fords. I'm not sure if he's not familiar with Fords, or if he's actually right. I would greatly appreciate ANY help you guys can offer. And if you're in the Houston area, and might like to make some extra cash doing an install, let me know. Thanks.
Matt

 

[ECU5.0]

hmm...im not too sure i would want that guy working on my car. the 8.8 gear sets are all the same size. they just have different number of grooves on them or whatever you want to call them. you dont have to grind the carrier housing at all. but the tricky part is getting the gears to fit right with each other, this is where the shims come into play, if they are too tight you will wear them out very quickly, and if they are too loose you risk breaking the teeth off

 

[MustangMulch]

I would find a shop that knows what they're doing if I were you.

 

[maverick0716]

No fox body mustangs have ABS

 

[_jb_]

I heard something that I can't just swap gears because 87-88 Mustang rear ends have to be replaced with a different axel.

 

[F8Lstang]

never do your own repair work, go to a shop

 

[maverick0716]

never do your own repair work, go to a shop

Why do you say that? The only thing I've taken my car to a shop for is welding in subframe connectors and installing gears......If you know what you're doing, why not? It saves mega cash.

 

[maverick0716]

I heard something that I can't just swap gears because 87-88 Mustang rear ends have to be replaced with a different axel.

You heard wrong. All 5.0 mustang axles are the same. Even axles out of a 7.5 can be swapped in an 8.8. (not the ring and pinion though). All 8.8 ring and pinions are the same size, they will fit.

 

[TRWXXA]

Sounds like this guy you know just doesn't want to do the swap for you, and he doesn't know jack.

2.73s to 3.73s is a very common swap. Not necessarily a DIY project, but easily done by a reputable shop.

You don't have ABS in a Fox-body 'Stang, and you don't need to change axles.

Find a good shop to do the work for you if you don't have above-average mechanical skills, but do expect to pay from $300 to $600 for the job (it can be time-consuming).

 

[MYLX5.0]

I just got my gears today and i'm so friggin happy, even though that good ol' UPS thrashed to box and the one the gears came in (no damage though). I found a highly reputable shop to do mine for $200, so shop around. One of their employees is Spence Hart, with an 8-second Mustang on drag radials..... in Delaware of all places. It's in the June '04 issue of MM and FF.

 

[_jb_]

You heard wrong. All 5.0 mustang axles are the same. Even axles out of a 7.5 can be swapped in an 8.8. (not the ring and pinion though). All 8.8 ring and pinions are the same size, they will fit.

Sweet, that is good to hear!