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Fox What Rear End Is This?

  • Thread starter Thread starter brow0991
  • Start date Start date Jun 2, 2017
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    4 lug drum to disc 8.8 swap cobra rear end
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brow0991

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I'm looking to upgrade my 7.5" rear end and change to disc brakes but I want to stay with 4 lugs. I found a craigslist ad for a "1993 Cobra rear end including breaks" The guy swears it's out of a 93 cobra and it does have 10 1/4" 4 lug disc brakes which I think is correct; but he says it has 3.55 gears and the pic of the axle tag says it came with 2.73 gears. I though the cobras came with 3.08 gears. I did some research and the number on the tag leads (S215C) me to believe it is out of a 00-01 mustang but how does it have 4 lug axles then? On the other hand its date code is 3E12; what is he really selling and will it still work for what I'm trying to do, if so what should I pay for it. BTW I need to drive 6 hours round trip to pick it up.
 

CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,
15 Year Member
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#2
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • #2
brow0991 said:
I'm looking to upgrade my 7.5" rear end and change to disc brakes but I want to stay with 4 lugs. I found a craigslist ad for a "1993 Cobra rear end including breaks" The guy swears it's out of a 93 cobra and it does have 10 1/4" 4 lug disc brakes which I think is correct; but he says it has 3.55 gears and the pic of the axle tag says it came with 2.73 gears. I though the cobras came with 3.08 gears. I did some research and the number on the tag leads (S215C) me to believe it is out of a 00-01 mustang but how does it have 4 lug axles then? On the other hand its date code is 3E12; what is he really selling and will it still work for what I'm trying to do, if so what should I pay for it. BTW I need to drive 6 hours round trip to pick it up.
Click to expand...
Measure.

Measure the rear end from wheel mounting surface, to wheel mounting surface. Then measure the disc brake rear.

Then you'll know if it fits.

Like you said, there is conflicting info from the tag, and any mustang after 93 isn't gonna have 4 lug axles.
Best bet is to just have dude measure the rear for you, and you'll know if it will work.

And you should expect to pay at least 350.00 for it.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
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#3
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • #3
The brake line to chassis union on the pass side of the axle suggests an SN95 rear axle. That particular sertup was on a 94-95 Mustang as they went to body routed lines in 1996.

Axle codes says 2.73 limited slip 8.8 with a date code of May 28 of either 1993 or 2003. It is possible SN95 production was gearing up around early/mid 1993.

You'll have to measure the axle to see if it's a 94-98 axle or 99-04. The 99+ were wider.
 

Dan02gt

mazing how much gas smell came from that tiny hole
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#4
  • Jun 2, 2017
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Would have to be a 94-98 axle as all 99-04s came with 3.27 gears.
 
Reactions: Mustang5L5

CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
10,641
8,909
234
Birmingham, al
Jun 2, 2017
#5
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • #5
Guys, the thing has 4 lug axles, show me a sn 95 rear w/ 4 lug axles and rotors...
 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
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#6
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • #6
Looks like a cobra rear to me.... Only seen 1 in person but it looked just like that one.

Someone would've gone through hell sourcing longer 4 lug axles and cobra brake rotors....

Don't know about the tag...anything could've happened in the last 24 years.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,225
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Jun 2, 2017
#7
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • #7
madmike1157 said:
Guys, the thing has 4 lug axles, show me a sn 95 rear w/ 4 lug axles and rotors...
Click to expand...

Axles and brakes can be swapped. For all we know a real 1993 Cobra owner could have blown his original rear and needed an replacement and just swapped his brakes to an SN95 rear he found with 3.73s. Could also have just swapped the tag? Who knows.

Honestly, just buy the part and not the story. It's 4-lug, 3.55 equipped 8.8 with disk brakes. Measure the width and if it works...buy it
 
Last edited: Jun 2, 2017

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,225
17,909
224
Massachusetts
Jun 2, 2017
#8
  • Jun 2, 2017
  • #8
90sickfox said:
Someone would've gone through hell sourcing longer 4 lug axles and cobra brake rotors....
Click to expand...

87-88 turbo coupe rotors and axles. Still not exactly common though.

Well never really know
 
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brow0991

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#9
  • Jun 5, 2017
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I bought the rear end, I got it for $400. I think it is a 93 mustang rear end with upgraded ring and pinion (3.55), and Turbo Coupe Brakes with an adaptor bracket to use the stock axles. I thought I read somewhere that you could tell the difference from a mustang axle and a turbo coupe by the length of the quad shock, supposedly the turbo coupe's is supposed to be shorter. Anybody know this for sure? And if so do you know the lengths of the two?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,225
17,909
224
Massachusetts
Jun 5, 2017
#10
  • Jun 5, 2017
  • #10
Turbo couple anti moan brackets were tack welded to the housing.

The 4-lug disk setup was offered as a kit by many vendors as well. SSBC was one of the bigger vendors.

Could also be authentic 93 Cobra stuff
 

Dan02gt

mazing how much gas smell came from that tiny hole
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
909
415
113
Greenville, NC
Jun 5, 2017
#11
  • Jun 5, 2017
  • #11
All '93 Cobras came with 3.08 gears. So unless the tag got swapped from another rear end, it can't be from an '93 Cobra.
 
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