tvolsr1 wrote:

I've searched many sites for the answer to my question and haven't found a difinitive answer.  I have a 67 cpe, 289, and soon to be T5z.  I'm wanting to swap to an explorer 8.8.  I know they are nearly the same width, within 1/4 to 1/2 inch.  Also know the 8.8 is offset.  Do I have to shorten oneside of the rearend?  And how do I get it centered, or does that even matter?  Thanks in advance for your response, and I'm glad to have found this site, it's a wealth of information!

Welcome to FYI Ford!  If you have not yet found the search box, it will serve you well.  Enter 8.8 explorer in the search box, and you will find all you need.  I shortened one to the 65/66 width, by shortening one side, and centering the center section.  I like the explorer 8.8 cuz it has the disc brakes, vs the fox mustang.  Explorer also has 31 spline axles.  I do know some folks have put the explorer 8.8 in the 67/68 cars without narrowing, as Tweet66 mentions, but it does give some angle offset, that may cause some vibration issues.  To shorten, I removed about 3 inches from the long side, about 8 inches from the end of the long tube, and welded it back up.  The seam was under the spring perch.  I got an extra explorer short axle from the JY when I got the 8.8, and used it on the shortened side.
 

josh-kebob wrote:

Do a search on this forum for that topic.
Bullet Bob did it and provided pics and info that will answer your questions.

That's true...I did, butt (TS&T) that was on a 66 where you just do like Tim says and cut the left axle tube 2.875" and round up a second right side axle (Thanks Josh).  Even after that the pinion will be about 1/2" or so to the right which made me spend a day doing a re-design on my EFI fuel line to be sure there was plenty 'o clearance.

As for the 67, I'm not sure what the stock width is but I know it's wider than a 66.  So, to use the Explorer axle (and get the disc brakes) you may have to cut is an have a custom left axle made.  Or....use the late Mustang drum brake axle (which I'm told will drop in) and scrounge up a set of Explorer or Cobra or GT rear brakes.  I'm betting they will  be a bolt-on to the 8.8. 

Good luck, and don't forget to take the pinion angle into account when you weld on the new spring saddles.  And, you'll probably be working with the axle upsidedown at that point so don't get the pinion angle confused....check/measure at least twice.   Also, after doing it like TimC did and cutting it under where the spring saddle goes I have decided that if I ever do another I'll cut it about 3" out from the center section, shorten the long piece of tube and weld it back together.  Then dress the weld with a flap wheel so it won't be too ugly.  This will allow much easier straightening of the tubes, IMO.

BB