...on Mavericks you silly gilly. I have an Explorer rear end I want to put under my '77. The Explorer rear center section has a slight offset. The right (passenger) axle is 27 3/4" long and the left (driver) is 30 5/8" long. If I cut the axle housing for two of the right axles, I'll have an overall length of about 55 1/2", which is about 1" shorter than the stock Maverick 8". Will I have any real problems running a rear shorter than a stock 8" other than backspacing on the wheels? This would be my most economical solution. These Explorer rears (I have two) are 31 spline, 3.73 limited slip, and disc brakes. I paid $200 for both assemblies, so I have everything I need to use the two shorter axles. Don't give me any opinions or alternative solutions about using an 8" or a 9". I've weighed all of those. This Explorer rear is going behind a built 250 six banger and AOD and I think the gearing will be perfect for my engine and tranny choice.
What about the mounting? Have you considered that? Im sure you have. As for using the 2 shorter axles, im sure you can do that. Other than wheel spacing, and getting the mounting hardware installed onto the rearend I see no other problems.
No! Haven't thought of that! DOH! Got to move spring perches out to 42 3/4". That's the easy part. I said experts in my thread title for a reason. I don't need speculation.:Handshake
Yea yea... well apparently I thought of something you didn't so lol The perches are easy to do, I was just trying to come up w/ all known possible things to worry about. lol
That's only a 1/2" on each side.....I can't see it causing any issues, other than a difference in backspacing required on the wheels. If you already have the rims, I would cut the rear end to accomodate the rims that I already have or want to use.
Terry, I got a friend who has a jig set up to narrow housings. Might wanna check his price too. Might save you a dollor or two. He should have his new shop completed by now. He lives between me & hwy 20
Got an old drag racing buddy that has a jig for setting up spring perches and pinion angle exactly as your current rear end. Jeff, I may use your buddy. I was going to make a jig. I've got to change wheels any way. 14" wheels will not work on that Explorer rear with the disc brakes (or so I've been told). I won't need any wheel wider than 7" for this car. A set Torq Thrust 15 x 7 with 4 in backspacing should work well.
Sometimes, sarcasm doesn't come through in written word. I already new the Explorer's 39 in spring perch spacing was not going to work.
we have done that for two 65 mustangs and there was no problems. from other topics on this board i would only be concered about the leafspring to caliper clearance. the ones we have done we did not have the cars here so i do not know what they did about that if there was any problem at all.
I didn't cut mine, and the d/s is a little to the pass side, but not anything I wouold worry about, but I also have a t-5 which seems to be a bit pass. side bias, shold be back on the road in a few weeks, cobra 5.0, GT T-5, GT d/s, Explorer 8.8, 3.73 trac lock, let you guys know what happens
Terry,Dont use a right side axle on the left side if its a used one.Spinning them in the opposite direction from which they have been run for XXXXXX miles tends to cause them to break since you are upsetting the "set" or memory if you preferr of the steel molecules.On the other side of the same coin... If the car isnt going to see any severe duty you may be fine.(its a 6 banger)I have seen axles break due to swithching from one side to the other and running them against their normal rotation.No, not all the failures were due to drag racing or abuse either.Just letting you know its a strong possibility.
Well, you've brought up something I've never heard of. I could buy a new for $90 plus shipping. The six-banger has a Comp 252 cam which increases the bottom a chunk. I'm making a head, intake, and carb change and the torque on Desktop Dyno (allowing for it being off about 7%) is going to be around 280 ft. lb at 3500 RPM with HP at around 180 at 4000 RPM (at the flywheel for both). I doubt it will see 4,000 RPM very often.
Sounds like a pretty stout little banger Terry!!!!! I would still err on the side of caution.It costs more than 90 bucks to fix a tore up quarter and replace a tire/wheel.There are two schools of thought on the subject... some say wont happen,some say it will, its only a matter of time.I have seen em go.(it aint pretty) like I said "err on the side of caution".You cant go wrong that way.Good luck,sounds like a fun ride Pete.
