Will 7.5 inch rear axles fit in an 8.8?

Dean85GT · Sep 15, 2005

I think im going to pick up a fresh 8.8 inch rear to replace my 7.5. I found a fresh one with 3.73s and 5 lug drums for 600 canadian (good price for around here). I was wondering what wheels are compatible with the 5 lug drum swap (because I dont think I would be able to run bullits like I want to) and whether or not my axles out of the 7.5 inch would fit. If the axles fit I will just keep my 10 holes for a while. Is it a bad idea to put those axles and drums in a fresh 8.8?

Gearbanger 101 · Sep 15, 2005

4-lug 8.8.....4-lug 7.5.....use the same axle.

Why wouldn't you run the Bullitts if it's already got a 5-lug swap?

bubba-dough · Sep 15, 2005

You can run any 5 lug wheel on the rear. Its the front that has the issue if it was changed using the SVO/Lincoln rotors. Then you have the hassle of wheel spacers. To solve that problem use the 94-95 spindle swap. http://mjbobbitt.home.comcast.net/mustang/5lug.html

Also if you change axles, check them for wear. Our cars use a s**** way of the bearing riding on the axle instead of using an inner race. This causes the hardened surface to get worn which eventually leads to a failure of some sort. Just a thought in case you have or plan on having decent power.

Dean85GT · Sep 15, 2005

The only reason that I would not put on 5 lug wheels is money. I want to use that money for an exhaust instead of wheels right now.

I forgot to mention. If I want bullits I guess I pretty much HAVE to put on 94-95 spindles AND brakes. correct?

Mustang5L5 · Sep 15, 2005

No, the Bullitts will fit the cheap 5-lug rotors up front if you use a spacer and do not use the center cap.

Out back you can run any 5-lug wheel on drums.

To answer your question, the axles and drums of a stock 7.5" and a stock 4-lug 8.8 are the same. That means you could take the axles and drums off your 7.5" and swap them to the 8.8 and run it 4-lug.

Now should you? All depends on the condition of your parts.

Dean85GT · Sep 15, 2005

Ok, heres another question. I am trying to get this rear end with a tranny and save some money and getting a deal cut. I KNOW that it would be wise to put a 10.5 inch clutch in my tranny but the car has a BRAND near clutch that is less then a year old. If I knew about the 10.5 swap (because this is when I just got my car) I would have done it then. Now, my car is not going to be putting any serious power down soon enough to have to worry about the clutch slipping. My question is will my clutch and flywheel bolt up fine to the 87-93 T5? I would imagine it would because all that is needed to put a 10.5" clutch in an 85 tranny is the flywheel and clutch. So will it?

1989MustangLX · Sep 15, 2005

$600 CAD is not cheap. I live less than an hour away from you and bought a freshly rebuilt complete rear for $300.

Dean85GT · Sep 15, 2005

privately? Cause I'm having a hell of a time finding one.

maverick0716 · Sep 15, 2005

I got lucky and bought my 8.8 rear end out of a 91 LX 5.0 vert auto for 250-300...It even had the 3.27 optional rear ratio.

1989MustangLX · Sep 15, 2005

Mine came with 3.55's. Dean, go to http://www.gtamc.com/forums/? and sign up, check out the classifieds. You might find one cheap there. It's a Mustang website for people in the Greater Toronto Area.

Dean85GT · Sep 15, 2005

Yeah I registered for that site mainly for the classifieds. Plus I know the guy with the red twin turbo mustang and he even has a site sticker on his car so I checked it out.

vristang · Sep 15, 2005

Mustang5L5 said:
Out back you can run any 5-lug wheel on drums.

.

I am not sure I would agree with that. There are a variety of wheels out there with various backspacings. The sn95 was different than the fox body, as an example. I suppose it is possible that the drums are dimensioned such that either wheel would fit, but I don't see that being very likely.

Just suggesting caution with wheel selection.
It can save a ton of headache with tire clearance issues such as flaring the fenders, losing the quad shocks, etc.
jason

bubba-dough · Sep 15, 2005

I haven't found a "stock" mustang wheel yet that hasn't worked for me. I have ran many different wheels on mine including Y2K's, Cobra R's, Bullitts and I also have 2001 V6 5 stars. And I have the 5 lug drum set-up on mine. My fender lips are not rolled and I do run quads.

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