I don't believe that. Also, the 8.8" rear is heavier. Not bashing your swap, just keeping things 'real'. Dave
If you're gonna hammer that 8.8 you might want to consider a "C" clip eliminator kit. It gets ugly when an axle pulls out.
Believe it, the 8.8 is a lighter, more efficient rear end than a 9". One of the reasons it can be made so strong is that the "center chunk" is actually part of the rear end housing.
I believe Ford discontinued the 9 and went with the 8.8 because it is much cheaper to manufacture. I know its much more a pain in the a&& to set up.
The 9" is lighter. Some guys over on the Stang site were arguing about this point because everything printed about the weight specs showed the 8.8" 10 to 20 lbs heavier depending on the source, but the folks on the board were posting it was lighter. I suppose because of several things... 8.8 is smaller than 9, the 8.8 came later when parts got lighter and thinner, and the 8.8 is weaker. All this combined to make folks just assume. Well some guys actually weighed the rears. The 9" was actually lighter. Believe it. Also, the cast housing of the 8.8 was cheaper in manufacturing than fabbing a 9" housing. That is why it was used. Money drives changes, not strength, performance, and effieciency. Dave
Its lighter! Its heavier! Its lighter! Its heavier! Its lighter! Its heavier! This sounds familiar What is this? A beer comercial Just having fun guys Don't flame me Anyways, Will got it in. Good job dude!
All I can say is my 9" is heavier than the 8.8 I have sitting in my basement.....maybe my scales are off........
I think the majority of people will use an 8 or 9 inch. They typically bolt in with no problems. Glad there is an alternative and that one of our members is leading the way for any who would be inclined to go this route. I honestly doubt that any weight loss savings one way or another would really add up to that much et anyway.The 100lbs for a tenth rule remember.... The 9 inch will be lighter using the aluminum center sections and pinion supports(at least I would think so) So everybody is right or wrong depending on your perspective:evilsmile Keep on mavericking all
If your planning to set up your own rears, go for the 9". Only easy way to do a 8.8 rear is to pull the whole rear out of the car & put it on jack stands, pinion down. Also I believe 8.8 are all 28 spline.
I know what you mean Dennis, I setup one of those 8.8" for a friend and I swore i'd never do it again........much rather setup a 9".
Yeah, I can imagine that taking the chunk out would make for a very easy setup, but I have done an 8.8 in-car and it wasnt the worst thing I had ever tried. The good thing is that the majority of 8.8s come posi, and if I install the gears before I install the rear it wont be so bad. 9" rears are so hard to come by around here, I know tons of Mustang peeps who can score 8.8s easy though. Pics!!
If you have an 8" rear, it is easy... I know some Stang guys that do this: Find a junk 9" housing. (this is where it is easy because you don't have to have the right width) Cut the axle tubes off. Cut your 8" tubes off. Weld you 8" tubes to the 9" housing center. Get a stock chunk and set it up 28 spline. Use your 8" axles (same as 9" 28 spline.) What you end up with is exactly the same as the 65-66 Hipo and Shelby 9". They did it this way. A buddy of mine races his behind a killer nostalgia 289 Hipo. This method is also much cheaper than narrowing a 9" from scratch. Mainly because you are bringing your own axles to the party. Welding the tubes is straight forward. Good luck Dave
Heres pics.They turned out real crappy but you get the idea.I havent been able to do anything else to it since I put it in. Living an hour away from your baby sucks. Caliper R&R is next they will be getting painted red. The tires that are on the wheel are 255-60-17's which are huge and hit the front of the fender well, I got 2 245-45's that will clear. The wheels that are on it are 17x8's and I measured from the inside of the wheel to the spring and I still have 3" of clearance. The lip on the fender will get trimmed off for added clearance.
