More Q's from the 2.3 noob

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

4,933

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Seattle

Aug 27, 2005

#1

• Aug 27, 2005

• #1

What size is the stock rear? I want to say 7.5 or 8"????????? This is an 87LX.

How much power can the stock rear handle? What is the weight difference compared to the 8.8?

Is it possible to get 5 lug discs on the stock rear?
How about 4 lug discs?

 

J

Jacob07

New Member

Apr 5, 2005

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0

Missouri

Aug 27, 2005

#2

• Aug 27, 2005

• #2

Stock rear on that car is 7.5

Don't know about your other questions

 

rd

Founding Member

Jan 12, 2000

3,316

63

109

Ocean Springs MS

Aug 27, 2005

#3

• Aug 27, 2005

• #3

The stock four cylinder rear is the 7.5 in, on all but a few 1979's that had the Pinto 6 in unit.

The 7.5 in my 82 5.0 has held up to many dozen track passes, including 12.9's in the quarter, and 50 or so eigth mile passes with a 100 shot, all on drag radials.

 

rd

Founding Member

Jan 12, 2000

3,316

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109

Ocean Springs MS

Aug 27, 2005

#4

• Aug 27, 2005

• #4

The 8.8 is about 30-50 lbs heavier, by my calibrated arms and back having to lift them.

 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

Founding Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom

Aug 27, 2005

#5

• Aug 27, 2005

• #5

If you want rear disc you might as well just swap in an 8.8, all the rear disc kits are made for the 8.8. You could also swap in a Turbo Coupe 8.8, which would give you 3.55 or 3.73 gears (depending on if it's from a stick or auto car, respectively), a trak-lok, and discs (albeit four lug). However this rear is 3/4" wider per side, but that shouldn't be a real big deal.

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

4,933

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124

Seattle

Aug 28, 2005

#6

• Aug 28, 2005

• #6

If there is just a 30lb difference between the 8.8 and the 7.5, then no way will I switch to the 8.8. I have an 8.8 already, but the weight gained would be lame.
I am using your lightest estimate rd, because I know how easily the arms and back can go "out of cert". I have used that many times!

I have seen 4.10 and 3.73 gears for the 7.5. Anyone used them? How difficult is it to swap gears in the 7.5?

The only other question is where to find disc brakes for the rear? Is there a stock 7.5 that ran discs in the back, or will this have to be custom fab'd?

Thanks again for the help.
jason

 

Asha'man

Founding Member

Feb 5, 2002

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Denver

Aug 28, 2005

#7

• Aug 28, 2005

• #7

I put SN95 rear discs on my stock 7.5. All the bolts and mounts are identical to an 8.8.

Brian

 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!

Founding Member

Nov 29, 1999

5,896

73

129

Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom

Aug 28, 2005

#8

• Aug 28, 2005

• #8

OK, well keep in mind that if you want a trak-lok you'll have to go buy one and install it, unless you can get by with the peg leg rear.

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

4,933

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Seattle

Aug 29, 2005

#9

• Aug 29, 2005

• #9

Asha'man said:

I put SN95 rear discs on my stock 7.5. All the bolts and mounts are identical to an 8.8.

Brian

Click to expand...

Did you use a 5 lug axle when doing this? Can the same 5 lug Ranger axles be used in the 7.5?
This is very exciting for me to hear. SN-95 swaps are easy!!!

 

9

93-331-29psi

Member

Jul 20, 2004

157

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17

NE North Carolina

Aug 30, 2005

#10

• Aug 30, 2005

• #10

Yes, the SN95 swaps work on the 7.5 rears. As do SN95 balljoints in the fox body control arms.

 

Asha'man

Founding Member

Feb 5, 2002

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Denver

Sep 3, 2005

#11

• Sep 3, 2005

• #11

vristang said:

Did you use a 5 lug axle when doing this? Can the same 5 lug Ranger axles be used in the 7.5?
This is very exciting for me to hear. SN-95 swaps are easy!!!

Click to expand...

They can, but not with SN95 swaps. You'd have to use North Racecar caliper brackets for Ranger axles.

Brian

 

R

RustBucket

New Member

Jun 8, 2003

585

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Buford, GA

Sep 5, 2005

#12

• Sep 5, 2005

• #12

Trac-loc center sections for 7.5's show up on e-bay quite frequently and fairly reasonable for the most part. Some Rangers, Bronco II's and Aerostar vans had them from the factory.

BTW, I just got my axles,drums, bearings, etc. to do the 5-lug swap on my car last week from Mustang Depot. The axles are made by Yukon and they look to be well made. The axles were only $60.00 ea. and the drums were cheaper than I could get them here. I'd been waiting since May for the FRPP set but they've been on backorder for ages and they keep pushing the date back. I'm getting the tires mounted on my rims this week and might even get the entire swap done before the weekend.