Anyone every run one of these? I know there's a bunch of 8.8 posts on here, but I couldn't find any specific to the 8.8 from a Fox Body Mustang. I'd like to determine the width, but haven't been able to find any resources. Anyone know of the width (end-to-end)? I want to determine if this is a possible swap into a shoebox Ford. Thanks in advance.
How about an 8.8 with rear disc??? I have a '89 mark VII rear axle that I need to sell. I'll go and measure it in just a couple of minutes and let you know.
Here is a good website on rearends http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm here is a nice mustange rearend as well
How about 62 inches from rotor face to rotor face. Or basically from where the back of the wheels contact the brake rotor. Hope that helps.
Thanks hippie6. I appreciate it. I'm 57" face-to-face; or overall axle shaft length. This is good, though, since now I know the Lincoln 8.8 is too wide. I understand that the Mustang 8.8 is significantly more narrow. Looks like I'll be heading to the junkyard to determine myself. I'd still appreciate it if someone could save me the trip. --Sam
I don't know the exact dimnsions so I can't help you there however I know that a lot of the guys like to use the Lincoln Mark rear as a swap. If it fits then the measurements are approx. the same. I thought the rear that the guys liked to use in Shoebox's were the old 8" out of the Ford Maverick. Might want to check the old Falcons and Fairlanes as well. Most will be left there at the junkyards as people are looking for 9's. My 65 Fairlane has an 8" posi that it came with and it put up with all my abuse through high school.
As stated, the 8 inch out of a Ford will hold up to most abuse..it is good for at least 350-400 REAR wheel horses..you also need the tires to put that power to the ground...the flange to flange measurement of an 8 inch out of a 65/66 mustang is 57 1/4...will work well in a shoebox. There is quite a bit of gear selection also..of course, the 9 inch has more to chose from, but you should find what you need for the 8"...I belong to another site...vintage-mustang.com , and an 8 inch out of the early mustangs usually sell for $100.00 or less (of course most 8 inch were not traction-loc (posi)..but can be bought to install...BTW..I have a 65 fastback and a 51 Ford Custom (289/c-4/8 inch..all from a 66 mustang) Joe
Try a ford exploder, 2000 - 2004. Disc brakes, 3.73 or 4.11 and set up for leaf springs, no big four link brackets to cut off. Bullet proof rear end with 31 spline axles and standard 4 1/2 on f bolt pattern. If memory serves me they measure 58 1/2 hub to hub. Good luck.
If you had a choice between the 8" or 8.8" go with the 8.8. There is a LOT of aftermarket and choices for these. Disk brakes or drums, 4 lug or 5 lug, limited slip was very popular and they came in various widths. Find a 8.8 in a 87-88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe with an automatic and you will have disk brakes, limited slip, standard Ford 5 lugs and 3:73 gears. If its a manual tranny car, it will be 3:55 gears. 87-93 (maybe even earlier) V8 Mustangs had limited slip, 4 lugs, drum brakes. 94 to 98?99? had limited slip, 5 lugs, disk brakes. Gear ratios anywhere from 2:73, 3:08, 3:27 stock I believe. Someone might correct me, but most of this I am certain is true. Not sure of the widths, but I believe the Lincoln was only 1.75" wider than the Mustang.
Ford still uses the 8.8 in the V8 Mustangs. Most common ratios are 2.73 and 3.08; the 3.27's are hard to come by (well, when I was into Mustangs in H.S. 10yrs ago, that was the case). Like someone else said, Explorer rears are easy to come by and have better ratios. 4x4 Rangers are another source.
I have a late nineties Explorer 8.8 with disc brakes that I would let go of pretty cheap. Too bad you live in CA.
The 86-93 Fox mustang 8.8" is a poor choice IMHO. 1, 4 bolt 2, HUGE upper trailing arm mounts cast into housing It is the only 8.8 with a centered housing however. I think your best choice over-all would be the Ranger 8.8". 58 3/4" WMS to WMS, 5 x4½" bolt pattern. 28 spline. The only bad thing I can say about them is the pumpkin isn't centered. some measurements (WMS to WMS) 1, Fox Mustang; 58 3/4" 28 spline Found in 1986 to 1993 V8 Mustangs. Coil mounted. 4 x 4½" bolt pattern. 2, Ford Ranger; 58 3/4" 28 spline (98+ FX4 and Edge 31 spline) found in 1990-1997 4.0l v6 Rangers. Leaf mount 5 x 4½" bolt pattern 3, Ford Explorer; 59 3/4" 31 spline Found in 1994-2003 Explorers. 97+ optional disk brakes Leaf mounted. 5 x 4½" bolt pattern 4, Ford Aerostar 59 3/4" 28 spline Found in 1990-95 4.0l v6 Aerostars Coil mounted 5x4½" bolt pattern 5,Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis 62.8" 31 spline Found in 1979-2002 CV/GM 5x4½" bolt pattern Optional rear disks 92+ coil mounted 92+ Leaf mounted79- 92
You're correct that 94 and up are disc brakes and 5 lug. Manual cars are 2:73, automatics are 3:27 (i think...), Cobras are 3:08. Keep in mind that a replacement gearset in any ratio you want is only $150. Also, these things take huge abuse if built well, and many run deep into the 10s with no problem.
the Linclon rear was used in the SVO Mustang, but required special offset wheels because the axle ends stick out more
http://50chevy.freeservers.com/Suspension_Widths.html#Suspension Check this link, it's from the HAMB thread with all of the hot rod resource info. Like I said in my PM, the 8.8 I had in my '50 ford worked like a champ. It came out of a passenger car, and is 58" wheel-wheel. I only had to notch the spring perch holes slightly for direct bolt-in.
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