Well, it took me a day to swap the rear end. But its finished, I pulled out the 8inch and in its place went an 8.8 with disc brakes. Boy it looks good under there. I've got to get my pictures developed and I'll post them up. The rear end is a little wider than the stock one but it works out since I'll be using a 17" Bullet wheel. I stuck them on afterwards and they have 255-60-17 on them and clear with plenty of room to spare I just need to get some with a shorter sidewall. So, guys dont get intimidated by it..... I'm only 20 Pics are coming
The rear end came out of a 90 Lincoln LSC, I havent hooked up the emergency brake yet but its going to be real simple
If its an explorer rear, its 59 3/8" mounting surface to mounting surface and 39 1/8" center to center on the perches.
Is it true that 8.8" rears have a different pinion offset? The swaps that I have heard of used two left (or was it right?) axle tubes and axles to mount properly in early Mustangs. Seems like the Mav would be same-same. Dave
Actually the 8.8 does use a different offset than a 9" (and 8" as well). The 9" offset is .975" I believe. 8" is .875", IIRC. 8.8's are almost dead center, going from memory (too lazy to dig out my notes LOL). BTW, the 8.8 also uses less hypoid than the 8 & 9"..which means the pinion runs closer to the centerline of the ring gear, which means it has a little less frictional losses. One of the biggest reasons Ford used them over the 9" in later years before totally phasing out the tried & true 9". Personally, the work that it takes to install a 8.8 in a Mav/Comet could be used to install a 9", which is stronger and easier to deal with. But, that's just me. Save the 8.8 FOX body rears for guys (like me) that need the 8.8 as an upgrade to the lowly 7.5's.......and yes, the little 4 banger in mine will kill a 7.5 rear. check the site: http://www.stangnet.com/tech/lug.html
Yes, from what mavman has said the 8.8 does have its advantages, both the 9" and 8.8 can both be built to handle the same amout of power. All in all it wasnt that much work to put it in. It only took me a day but could have been less if I wouldn't of had to do some running around.Also would have been quicker if I had an extra set of hands putting it in. The LSC rear end is not a leaf rear, the total cost of the swap was 15$...including the rear end.Which the 15$ was for the leaf spring perches.Yes thats right 15$. Patience is the key...lol. I traded a 1979 Capri for a 90 LSC that had a blown tranny. I pulled the motor, stuck it in the mav and the rear end. I'm trying to use up the rest of the pictures on the disposable right now. Pics are coming asap along with a write up.
