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  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » Rear end... add limited slip or switch to an 8.8?

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    9/05/2013 7:41 PM  #1

    BobN
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    Registered: 4/03/2013
    Posts: 158

    Rear end... add limited slip or switch to an 8.8?

    I have a 66 coupe with the original 3.0 open 8 inch rear end. I have already added disk brakes and everything is fine... except I am getting tired of the one wheel peel.

    I have priced out the parts to change the rear gear and add limited slip to around $900. I know that I could easily pick up an 8.8 and cut it down for a lot less than that. So what is the general concensus? Upgrade the original, or retro-fit in an 8.8 with a better gear ratio and limited slip?

    BobN

     

    9/05/2013 7:54 PM  #2

    Tubo
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    From: Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Rear end... add limited slip or switch to an 8.8?

    I've been talking 8.8 fer two years.
    I'm cutting the long leg off one now, for the 2+2. Along with doing 37 other things to two cars. And am hunting for a 99-04 Stang rear carrier for the 73. Already have the axles & 8.8 trac-loc, though they are 28 spline.
    Anywho my $.02 is on 8.8..... Now if'in I kin just find some 3.31 gears.

    Tubo

    If it ain't broke, I haven't modified it Yet
     

    9/05/2013 9:11 PM  #3

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
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    Re: Rear end... add limited slip or switch to an 8.8?

    I'd have a hard time shelling out $900 just to still have an 8".  For +- $250 you can have the 8.8 LS of your choice.  Spend some evenings cleaning it up and shortening it and you have a tough 31 spline rear with LS and disc brakes. 

    Then sell the disc setup, or the whole 8" rearend and you will prolly  be ahead even if you replace all the brgs/seals in the 8.8.

    That's what I'm planning.

    BB

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    9/06/2013 4:44 AM  #4

    MarkinSC
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    Re: Rear end... add limited slip or switch to an 8.8?

    Bullet Bob wrote:

    I'd have a hard time shelling out $900 just to still have an 8".  For +- $250 you can have the 8.8 LS of your choice.  Spend some evenings cleaning it up and shortening it and you have a tough 31 spline rear with LS and disc brakes. 

    Then sell the disc setup, or the whole 8" rearend and you will prolly  be ahead even if you replace all the brgs/seals in the 8.8.

    That's what I'm planning.

    BB

    Which 8.8 come with disc in the rear?  My 93 is an 8.8 but it doesn't have rear disc. I thought it would either have to find a cobra rear end for the disc brakes, or donor must be a lincoln town car?   And which come with 31 spline? I think mine is  28 spline.  My 8.8 are also four lug.  Not sure if he already has 5 lug axles on his 8 inch rear and has rims and tires for it that he wants to keep.  Would that be a  huge expense to get new 31 spline axles with 5 lug pattern to keep his existing rims and tires, or a huge expense to replace his tires and rims and front rotors with four lug?

    On a side note, there is a guy on here that rebuilds rear ends,  phil cook.  I don't recall his username, but nine inch nodular keeps popping up in my head.  I think MS gave him a try and liked his work.  Might be another option for you. Hopefully he will chime in.

    GET HER DONE BULLETBOB!!! ..
     

    9/06/2013 5:58 AM  #5

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Rear end... add limited slip or switch to an 8.8?

    Sorry....I guess I thought EVERYONE here knew.  The 8.8 of choice for our cars seems to be from the 96-2000 (1) Explorer.  They have 31 spline axles, disc brakes, and came in both open and Limited Slip.  Ratios can run from 3.27 to 3.73 commonly but a 3.08 or 4.10 from a different vehicle could be slipped in without loosing the other features.

    For the  65/66 they require that the long side be shortened about 2 7/8" to allow use of a second short axle.  This makes them just about perfect for the early car.

    BB

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    9/06/2013 1:38 PM  #6

    rmousir
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    Re: Rear end... add limited slip or switch to an 8.8?

    BullitBob,

    I put a cheap powertrax locked in my 8" just to tide me over for a while. When i get around to it, if i can't find a 8" center with a locker to rebuild, I'll probably go to the 8.8.  I've been enjoying the modifying projects for my car but at times, I just want it to work and work right.  Since I've never done a lot of this stuff before so some times I've found that I might want to consider if it is money well spent. 

    not sure that helps.

     

    9/06/2013 4:06 PM  #7

    ultrastang
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Camden, Arkansas
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 570

    Re: Rear end... add limited slip or switch to an 8.8?

    If you are looking for a '95-2001 Explorer 8.8" disc brake rear end with decent gears and a Traction-Lok differential, here are the rear codes you will find on the door tag to decipher what is under the donor vehicle:

    ("C" denotes Conventional [single track] differential. "L" denotes Limited Slip).

    41=3.27C

    42=4.10C

    43=3.08C

    45=3.55C

    46=3.73C

    D1=3.27L

    D2=4.10L

    D4=3.73L

    D5=3.55L

    The '05-up Mustangs and Ford F-150s had optional 8.8" ratios of 3.31:1. The S197 Mustangs also have a 3.15:1 ratio available.

     

     

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