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Gear Install Questions...

  • Thread starter Thread starter Glaxtx
  • Start date Start date Jun 18, 2004
G

Glaxtx

New Member
Apr 6, 2004
8
0
0
Houston
Jun 18, 2004
#1
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #1
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

Banned
Jan 10, 2004
1,803
1
0
raleigh, nc
Jun 18, 2004
#2
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #2
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

New Member
Mar 27, 2003
303
0
0
Santa Clarita, CA
Jun 18, 2004
#3
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #3
I would find a shop that knows what they're doing if I were you.
 

maverick0716

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2002
3,924
0
56
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Jun 18, 2004
#4
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #4
No fox body mustangs have ABS
 

_jb_

New Member
Mar 4, 2004
808
0
0
Michigan, Berrien County
Jun 18, 2004
#5
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #5
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

Member
Dec 6, 2003
47
0
6
Jun 18, 2004
#6
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #6
never do your own repair work, go to a shop
 

maverick0716

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2002
3,924
0
56
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Jun 18, 2004
#7
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #7
F8Lstang said:
never do your own repair work, go to a shop
Click to expand...

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

Founding Member
Jan 12, 2002
3,924
0
56
Chilliwack, BC, Canada
Jun 18, 2004
#8
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #8
_JB_ said:
I heard something that I can't just swap gears because 87-88 Mustang rear ends have to be replaced with a different axel.
Click to expand...

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

Member
Jan 18, 2003
190
1
19
RIGHT BEHIND YOU!!!... Made you look.
Jun 18, 2004
#9
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #9
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).
 
M

MYLX5.0

New Member
Aug 19, 2003
93
0
0
Dover, DE
Jun 18, 2004
#10
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #10
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_

New Member
Mar 4, 2004
808
0
0
Michigan, Berrien County
Jun 19, 2004
#11
  • Jun 19, 2004
  • #11
maverick0716 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Sweet, that is good to hear!
 
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