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  •  » If you could do it over

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    10/19/2019 9:34 AM  #1

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
    Posts: 3,343

    If you could do it over

    What axle assembly would ya use?

    And why?

     

    10/19/2019 10:03 AM  #2

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 3,980

    Re: If you could do it over

    I coulda bought a 9 inch years ago but since I did not intend on going over 400 HP I stayed with the 8,
    I guess that it is about a hundred pounds lighter and will handle the 331 with no issues.
    Originally I put 3.25 gears in it to give it long legs but now it could get away a bit better with 3.55’s.
    So no regrets, I am a happy granpappy.

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    10/19/2019 10:22 AM  #3

    rpm
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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
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    Re: If you could do it over

    A couple of things come to mind: intended use, max horsepower/torque, do it once - do it right.

    From what I've seen, parts for the 8 & 9 inch are the same. Extra weight of the 9 inch vs the strength. Pick your poison.

    The Explorer 31 spline trak loc rear axle is a strong, inexpensive way to go.

    I'm pretty sure I'm not the only guy who started a build with one plan, then made a left turn and went down a rabbit hole. But it's nice to start with a plan.


    That said, I'll stick with 9 inch stuff till they bury me.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    10/19/2019 3:20 PM  #4

    Bolted to Floor
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    From: Houston, Texas
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: If you could do it over

    I’ll stick with a 9 inch cause I’m hard headed!!

    I’ll second all of RPM’s comments.

    John  -- 67 Mustang Coupe 390 5 speed
     

    10/19/2019 3:45 PM  #5

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,868

    Re: If you could do it over

    YEARS of "putting-it-off" has plagued me and I STILL have the old peg-leg 3.00:1 rear-gear! 
    My biggest 'fear'(not a good word!) hesitation is......I don't want a gear so low that first gear of the T-5 is fairly useless.
    Maybe 3.25:1   or 3.40:1 (even better) would have been ideal.  For my use and HP an 8" or 8.8 would be my choice.
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    10/19/2019 4:00 PM  #6

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
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    Re: If you could do it over

    6sally6 wrote:

    YEARS of "putting-it-off" has plagued me and I STILL have the old peg-leg 3.00:1 rear-gear!
    My biggest 'fear'(not a good word!) hesitation is......I don't want a gear so low that first gear of the T-5 is fairly useless.
    Maybe 3.25:1 or 3.40:1 (even better) would have been ideal. For my use and HP an 8" or 8.8 would be my choice.
    6sally6

    Peg leg is OK Mike, it's kind of a safety valve for a stock 8 incher with a torquey engine.

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    10/19/2019 4:25 PM  #7

    HudginJ3
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    From: Cedar Hill, TX
    Registered: 4/29/2015
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    Re: If you could do it over

    I replaced my 8 inch with a 9 after the spider gears wore out and put after market trac lock in it. I've only "used" it a couple of times messing around. If I were to do it over again I think I'd leave out the track lock but go with the 9.

    70, ragtop 351W/416 stroker Edel Performer heads w pro flow 4, Comp roller 35-421-8. T5
     

    10/19/2019 5:33 PM  #8

    rpm
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    From: Bakersfield, Ca
    Registered: 9/17/2013
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    Re: If you could do it over

    I use a traction lok and let the tires be the weak link.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    10/19/2019 6:04 PM  #9

    red351
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Carlisle, PA
    Registered: 5/31/2018
    Posts: 445

    Re: If you could do it over

    8 or 9in for sure, then you don't need to play with side to side shims.

     

    10/20/2019 9:15 AM  #10

    Huskinhano
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    Registered: 4/26/2017
    Posts: 279

    Re: If you could do it over

    I still have open 2.8 in my 8". For my use I like it. My combo is wide ratio Toploader in my 66. It's getting a little noisy and I'd like a limited slip. I've given thought to narrowing a Explorer but I think the tallest ratio is a 3.55, then narrowing it and shortening my aluminum driveshaft.... I think I'll put a limited slip in the spare 3.0 8" myself and call it a day

    I'm not a complete idiot.....pieces are missing. Tom
     

    10/20/2019 12:46 PM  #11

    TKOPerformance
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    From: Newark, DE
    Registered: 12/15/2014
    Posts: 7,520

    Re: If you could do it over

    The real question is sticky tires or not.  If you're not going to run sticky tires you can run pretty much whatever rear you want.  Rears break from shock loading.  On street tires the tires will just spin before you can shock load it enough to break it. 

    If you're going to run sticky tires I'd advise a 9" or built 8.8.  Side shims aside the 8.8 actually takes fewer specialized tools to set up. 

     

    10/23/2019 7:53 AM  #12

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
    Posts: 3,343

    Re: If you could do it over

    6sally6 wrote:

    YEARS of "putting-it-off" has plagued me and I STILL have the old peg-leg 3.00:1 rear-gear! 
    My biggest 'fear'(not a good word!) hesitation is......I don't want a gear so low that first gear of the T-5 is fairly useless.
    Maybe 3.25:1   or 3.40:1 (even better) would have been ideal.  For my use and HP an 8" or 8.8 would be my choice.
    6sally6

     
    I just “recently”....10 years now, definitely getting old...installed Currie’s 8” limited slip and upgraded to 3.25 when I still had C4 in it.

    The t5 and 3.73 in the 92 was definitely a granny gear in first.

    Would this react differently with a leaf spring setup?  (5 leaf mid-eye)

       •Thread Starter
     

    10/23/2019 8:11 AM  #13

    DC
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    From: Marshall, MI
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,251

    Re: If you could do it over

    I, stick with the Jaguar independent rear with inboard brakes. The much less unsprung weight is woth the work. The ride in the car is sooooo much better not to mention handling.

     

    10/23/2019 9:09 AM  #14

    BillyC
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    From: Chesapeake, Va.
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 966

    Re: If you could do it over

    I'm my opinion, unless your running some kind of 400 hp torque monster anything other than an 8" is over kill. I've got an open 8" with 3:55 gears behind my slightly modified 289 T5. If I had it to do over I would of gone with a posi but for my purposes what I've got is fine.

    "anyone that stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty"Henry Ford
     

     

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