Installed 3:55's BY THE BOOK!!

[R.J.]

It feels really good to do a job like this and know it is done correctly. All I needed was five special tools that total $250.00 and I got the gears for $140.00. Thats 390.00 total, most shops charge 400.00 for a set of gears and now I can change to whatever gears I want for only the price of the gears!! The procedure is at this Summit web site;

http://www.summitracing.com/landing/mustang/ln_02feature.htm?ID={8C200CAE-AD51-49FF-B7AA-77E2B4A54B62}&Type=6#FeatTop

The measurement equations are at this Summit web site;

http://www.streetandstripmotorsports.com/tech/kicking_axel/axel_1.htm

If anybody is interested I have the tools p/n's (pinion measuring, calipers, magnetic base, dial indicator, in lb beam tq wrench) and web sites to order them.

 

[Road_Runna]

Great job. Is the car running ? lol
How long did it take you to install ?

 

[Car Nut]

Nice!

I just got 3.55's a couple weeks ago and I am very please. Absolutely perfect for the long trips I take all the time. I still can't believe how well this woke up the acceleration factor. Fifth gear is now useful for moderate passing on the interstate.

 

[smokediver27]

Excellent job, I would never dream of taking gears on with my lacking skills.

 

[Dan95-5.0]

good job. any whine at all??

now you can install them for people you know and charge them to pay off the tools. lol

 

[RIO5.0]

It is cool doing em....With good instructions its pretty much cake...

Your officially hardcore now.....

 

[mo_dingo]

What tool is the "pinion measuring"??? Do you mean a pinion depth gauge? Why did you buy that tool? (not necessary)

Glad to see another person who did their own gears. Now you have the extra tools, and knowledge, instead of a mechanics bill!!!!
Scott

 

[R.J.]

It took @4 hours and alot of that time is putting it togeather and taking it apart a couple of times. Once for the pinion shims, but "untill it is right" many times for the solid spacer shims (18in lbs breakaway force) and back lash (.005-.008). My pinion shim was .028, solid spacer was .010+spacer, and backlash was .008. The .028 pinion shim seems to be common for 8.8 in rear ends. I know they are all diffrent but that seems to be a good starting point.