I have a friend shipping a container over soon, so I have a chance to get a new axle sent over. I'm going for an 8.8 with LSD and discs, but just to check- what is the standard Maverick axle width, the 5 stud PCD (5x4.5"?) and crucially what is the best ratio for standard street driving, 302 V8 and C4 box. What is the standard ratio? Thanks, TC
The Maverick came with the narrowest of all factory rear axles, at 56.5 inches. If you get one that is slightly wider, you can make up for it with more offset on your wheel choice. The stock ratio with an automatic was a boring (but fuel efficient) 2.79:1 - manual cars generally came with a 3.00:1. If you wanted to pep up the ratio, something around 3.5:1 would be nice driving and still give you decent fuel mileage.
You might spend some time with one of the online speed/RPM calculators, especially if you intend to do a lot of driving at highway speeds. My car with C4, 3.00:1, and 14" tires is turning 2800 RPM at 65 MPH. While it would be nice to have a higher rear end ratio around town I wouldn't like it on the highway. Someday I might change to a higher stall torque converter to move up on the torque curve on take off. Think 3.5:1 might be ideal for me with an OD transmission.
I think I'm going to go with 15" wheels, not sure on tyre size yet but will be bigger than standard without being radical. Engine won't be a million miles from standard so not a 7000rpm screamer, 3.5:1 from 2.79:1 seems quite a BIG difference?!
Here are some RPM calculations using some common ratios and a P235/70/15 - which is a 28" tall tire RPM at 60mph 2.79 = 2009 3.00 = 2160 3.25 = 2340 3.50 = 2520 3.55 = 2556 Adding an overdrive transmission (like an AOD or T5) with a final gear ratio of .79:1, takes the 3.50:1 from 2520 rpm down to 1991 rpm. I guess it all comes down to what type of performance you are after vs fuel economy.
Actully the 63.5 Falcon had the narrowest at 56" but finding a housing that was made for only 6 months 47 years ago is a lot harder than finding a Maverick rear end. :Handshake
Depends on what tire, how much highway driving you'll be doing and your priorities for highway comfort vs in-town performance. 3.5:1 would suit me with 28" tires but I'm running 26" diameter (14" now, 15" later). Ideal highway RPMs for me would be about 2200 at 70 MPH. Maybe someday I'll have an OD transmission.
the easyest way to get a 8.8 with disk brakes and a tracloc that is close to the right width for the maverick is to get an 94-02 explorer rear end. then you need to have the long tube shortend to take a short side axle. this get the width pretty close to where the mavericks width is. you also will want have the gear ratio changed. explorers come with 3.73s or 4.10s. depending on your driving needs i would recomend some where between 2.73 to 3.27s to be put into it. where is this container being shiped from and when is it being shiped? i can build you this rear end at my shop if you are interested.
the other and easyer way to up grade your rear end is to get another 8" thirdmember built with a lsd and what ever gear ratio you want. then get a disk brake kit for the 8". i like this one from currie http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/productsRE.aspx?id=3594 you would need a parking brake cable kit and brake hoses to complete this brake kit for your install.
if all else fails i know of a 9" lincoln versailles disc brake rearend for sale near hamburg, germany. it was on ebay for 499€ but didn't sell...
I'm rebuilding a versaiiles right now and paid 300 for it, looks like I will be in it for around $1000 after I lose the crappy disks and overweight calipers also got to do the center chunk w/posi. thinking about going with the cobra rear conversion if I can keep 15" rims. I'm not sure but I think the v6 version rears will allow 15"s. still researching at this point. The ranger mod seems a little messed up to me can't pin it down. long story short I might have just gone with a aftermarket housing since I may need shortening and the versailles axles are only 28 spline to begin with. oh well 1 grand vs 2 grand well see.
Thanks for all the replies, I didn't realise that the explorer ratio's were so far off, what would be guide price for an lsd for my existing 8"?
If you already have a 8 '' trac loc diff. rebuild cost will be around 600. to 700. USD with your pick of gear ratios
a new lsd costs around $475.00. my shop charges $168 to install it in the thirdmember. i have no idea what it would cost in england.
It's annoying as I can get an Explorer type axle with discs and LSD for just over £200, about $320, but if the ratios are wrong and it's too long then no point as I'll end up spending more on having it shortened and new CW&P than getting one the right size! Maybe I should just make do with my standard one and swap it out next year when I have some more money and the car is on the road.
