What is the best rearend for the money?

6

65inworks

Founding Member

Jul 10, 2002

101

0

16

sacramento,ca

Dec 31, 2004

#1

• Dec 31, 2004

• #1

I have a 65 mustang that has about 320 hp to the rear wheels, and i have a stock 8inch rear end right now. I have a t5 trans and i would later on like to add either nitrous or boost so what would be the best rearend for the buck, thanks Nick

 

rbohm

Founding Member

Apr 12, 2002

6,698

550

204

tucson,az

Dec 31, 2004

#2

• Dec 31, 2004

• #2

if you add a supercharger i would go with a 9" rear as you will add about 100hp easy.

 

U

unluckyengineer

New Member

Dec 22, 2004

45

0

0

Jan 1, 2005

#3

• Jan 1, 2005

• #3

But to my knowledge the 8.8 is fairly bulletproof as well isn't it? I mean it depends on what you want and where you can find it. If you want five lug disc brakes it is going to be a lot cheaper and easier to find an 8.8 but if you want four lug drum brakes then a 9 should be cheaper because you can just scrounge one off of any old ford V-8.. but then again if you just find a random 9 or 8.8 finding around for cheap that should help in making up your mind right?

 

rbohm

Founding Member

Apr 12, 2002

6,698

550

204

tucson,az

Jan 1, 2005

#4

• Jan 1, 2005

• #4

unluckyengineer said:

But to my knowledge the 8.8 is fairly bulletproof as well isn't it? I mean it depends on what you want and where you can find it. If you want five lug disc brakes it is going to be a lot cheaper and easier to find an 8.8 but if you want four lug drum brakes then a 9 should be cheaper because you can just scrounge one off of any old ford V-8.. but then again if you just find a random 9 or 8.8 finding around for cheap that should help in making up your mind right?

Click to expand...

yes the 8.8 is fairly bulletproof, but he has the 8", the baby brother to the 9" rear. the 8.8" rear is a completely different animal. yes the 8.8 can be modded for installation in an early mustang, but since most are the wrong width and or the wrong wheel bolt pattern, by the time both rears are found, purchased, and modified, you are into each for about the same money.

 

Great68

Founding Member

May 16, 2002

691

0

16

Victoria BC

Jan 1, 2005

#5

• Jan 1, 2005

• #5

unluckyengineer said:

if you want four lug drum brakes then a 9 should be cheaper because you can just scrounge one off of any old ford V-8

Click to expand...

9" rear ends never came with 4 lug bolt pattern axles.

 

S

Snail50

Founding Member

Mar 24, 2001

787

0

0

Miami

Jan 1, 2005

#6

• Jan 1, 2005

• #6

hmmm, the best rearend for the money? that's a very "open-ended" question....

If you've already got 320 rwhp, and are going to add boost or juice, I'd go with a 9".

 

70vert

New Member

Dec 31, 2004

722

0

0

Bay Area, CA

Jan 1, 2005

#7

• Jan 1, 2005

• #7

I would say the Jennifer Lopez unit

but I don't think it's worth the extra cost.

65inworks said:

so what would be the best rearend for the buck, thanks Nick

Click to expand...

 

U

unluckyengineer

New Member

Dec 22, 2004

45

0

0

Jan 1, 2005

#8

• Jan 1, 2005

• #8

sorry I meant to say the 8.8 on the whole drum brakes. slip of the tongue. I have the 8 inch ,in my baby six so I am looking at the same options and right now I want to probably go with Explorer rear disc for the five lugs and then I can put on some bullitt rims and people say the conventional rims make it look pretty good even though it is wider.. I am going to be putting on the v-8 spindles and then putting some disc brakes on that and upper and lower control arms. Make sure that you get all that stuff handled as well as the rear by the way.

 

65fastback2+2

New Member

Aug 4, 2003

1,229

0

0

Louisville, KY

Jan 1, 2005

#9

• Jan 1, 2005

• #9

8.8" is only 2 inch's wider on 65/66's and its the same width on 67+ so there really isnt that big of a deal. If you are putting a 8.8" in a 65/66 easy thing to do is just get different backspacing wheels. Only bad thing about 8.8" is changing the gear sets is a pain, not easy like a 9". However a 8.8" with discs and a 3.73 trac-lok can be had at most junkyards for $200-$300.

 

ratio411

Founding Member

Apr 21, 2002

3,870

73

109

Pensacola FL

Jan 1, 2005

#10

• Jan 1, 2005

• #10

The 9" is best for the money hands down!
They are so widespread and used in so many applications, even non-Ford apps, that parts are readily available and there are an infinite variety.
8" rears have a lower 'entry fee', but the parts for the 9", even light duty parts are very strong and reasonable.
To keep the price down, use a standard carrier and support. Spend a few bux on the differential and be done with it.

The 8.8" is good in theory, but then you look at the details and it gets sticky.
The pumpkin is offset differently than the 8/9 rears (rear cannot be centered without narrowing one axle and tube), you have to change all the mounts, you have to worry 4 or 5 lugs, etc...
The 9" can be found to bolt right in, even light duty parts are significantly stronger than the expensive 8" upgrade parts, and the 9" only weighs about 10 lbs more.
Then you can use Exploder disc brakes if you want to be really creative.
Good luck
Dave

BTW: If you have 5 lug 8" axles, they can be used in a small bearing 9" rear with a 28 spline locker. Assuming same length tubes of course. The axles are not the weak point in an 8", it's all the stuff in the chunk.

 

Edbert

Founding Member

Jul 13, 2002

3,548

32

109

Austin TX

Jan 3, 2005

#11

• Jan 3, 2005

• #11

The 9 is the answer to your question.

The 8.8 is a great rear end, but it will take some work ($$$) to get it to fit into a classic stang. There's more to it than just the width. For example, the 8.8 doesn't have spring perches and the pinion is not centered. The 9 is a direct bolt-in for a 67-70 (9s exist for 65-66 but are very hard to find so most will get them cut down to fit) and are pretty easy to find for around $200.

 

dodgestang

Active Member

Dec 15, 2003

1,360

0

37

Cecil County, MD

Jan 3, 2005

#12

• Jan 3, 2005

• #12

65-6 mustang....

Currie Full set up 9 inch $2k and up

57-9 ford 9 inch bolt in application - $200 for the housing w/ axles
Bearings and seals - $100
New center section with gear of your choice - $700
Bolt your drum brakes on from the 8 - free
Upgrade to rear disc - SSBC kits are about $700

Total price tag - $1000 and up.

I run a 57-9 ford 9 inch in my 65 with a true dyno tested 394 RWHP and 355 ftlbs. Works great traction is the problem. BTW - if you are making 300+ at the rear tire and add another 100....you will need a different trans.