Help Build a Budget 8.8

Brandon11010

New Member

Jul 18, 2005

71

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Jan 26, 2009

#1

• Jan 26, 2009

• #1

Well im a UTI student and my 89 fox's 8.8 is a little tired.. with 2.73 gears and a no longer working trac-loc, im tired of getting pulled on by everyone and their grandma, especially with all my engine work (276hp,310tq). Now being a student im on a tight tight budget.. What would the the cheapest way to get a set of 3.73's or 3.55's, and a working posi unit? A price list and a where to get it would be nice.. would a junkyard *craigslist* set of gears be worth the work to throw in, can i get away with not getting a rebuild kit? The trac-loc rebuild kit is what $50? no gettin around that.. I dunno.. im open for suggestions..or donations lol.. any input would be appreciated

 

25thmustang

Mustang Master

Sep 5, 2003

2,021

85

99

Montgomery, NY

Jan 27, 2009

#2

• Jan 27, 2009

• #2

I got a 31 spline truck diff for $20 (I think it was), a rebuild kit for whatever that costs, axles for $200, a rear for $20, get some used gears for $100-150 and you could have a nice, reliable posi rear for around $500!

 

old_blue

15 Year Member

Nov 3, 2003

1,783

282

124

Jan 27, 2009

#3

• Jan 27, 2009

• #3

I'm guessing for a budget you wont be going 31 spline.

-gears on ebay or craigslist for 50-100 (got mine on craigs for $75)
-a rebuild kit for the trac-loc-$62 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD...015QQitemZ250360690265QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
I would do the axles bearings and seals as well since you already have it apart. -$35 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford...024QQitemZ370148800145QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

-installation kit for the gears on ebay. there are several different types that can inlcude just shimes and seals or shims, bearings etc. anywhere from $39-150

good luck. oh and I assume being at UTI they can help you on the install if not then plan to shell a few hundred for that. What I have done is found a ford tech who does installs and asked him to do a side job.

 

Brandon11010

New Member

Jul 18, 2005

71

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0

Jan 27, 2009

#4

• Jan 27, 2009

• #4

Yea ill be able to use the shop one of these weekends, just have to make sure i have everything i need. but thanks for the reply, give me a bit of a picture

 

NIKwoaC

中國製造

15 Year Member

Oct 31, 2006

5,525

943

214

Chengdu Province

Jan 27, 2009

#5

• Jan 27, 2009

• #5

For peace of mind, I'd buy new gears. Everything else (except of course the rebuild kit and bearings) you can buy used.

You'll love the gears. A set of 3.73s will make that car killer. Also make sure to do the Traction-Lok "trick" where you rebuild it with 4 clutches on each side rather than 3. Do a search, you'll get a better explanation.

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

Founding Member

Nov 22, 2001

3,501

28

119

Motor City

Jan 27, 2009

#6

• Jan 27, 2009

• #6

Explorer diff and 8.8 3.73 gears, then buy Moser axles.

 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end

15 Year Member

Nov 11, 2003

6,945

1,598

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Northern KY

Jan 27, 2009

#7

• Jan 27, 2009

• #7

Isn't the new S197 rear end a 31 spline diff and axles? What would it take to get one of those under a Fox? If they can handle the 500hp GT500, they should be pretty nice for most of us 5.0 guys.

 

MAC'n89Blckstng

Active Member

Jun 11, 2003

1,012

3

36

NJ

Jan 27, 2009

#8

• Jan 27, 2009

• #8

All SVT cars from 03-09 came with the carbon fiber traction lok friction discs. I put this in my car, haven't driven on them yet but I will hopefully find out how it is this summer.

 

LiquidGT

Member

Oct 8, 2007

368

0

16

Near STL hell

Jan 27, 2009

#9

• Jan 27, 2009

• #9

I plan on using the SVT carbon fiber discs myself, they're supposed to last a lot longer than the regular discs. I believe it even comes with the F150 'S' spring that people upgrade to.

Ford Racing 8.8" Traction-LOK Rebuild Kit w/ Carbon Discs at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

What sucks about the alternate stacking method that NikwoaC mentioned is that you have to reuse two of the old standard disc with the carbons... if you go the carbon route.

 

NIKwoaC

中國製造

15 Year Member

Oct 31, 2006

5,525

943

214

Chengdu Province

Jan 27, 2009

#10

• Jan 27, 2009

• #10

LiquidGT said:

What sucks about the alternate stacking method that NikwoaC mentioned is that you have to reuse two of the old standard disc with the carbons... if you go the carbon route.

Click to expand...

Unless you buy two rebuild kits or go to the Ford dealership and see if you can just buy extra disks. It is kind of a bummer, but maybe you could sell off the extra disks to other people down the road who want to rebuild theirs the same way.