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9/16/2013 5:31 AM  #1


8.8 swap

getting ready to cut down the long side axle tube and have seen that some say to cut out 2 3/4", others say 2 15/16" or 2 7/8", and others at 3" will they all work, it is going in a 1968 coupe and i would like to center the the pumpkin, any advice greatly appeciated, thank you 

 

9/16/2013 5:34 AM  #2


Re: 8.8 swap

I used a 97 explorer rear for my 66 fastback and i cut 3 inches an it worked perfect

 

9/16/2013 5:38 AM  #3


Re: 8.8 swap

demano wrote:

getting ready to cut down the long side axle tube and have seen that some say to cut out 2 3/4", others say 2 15/16" or 2 7/8", and others at 3" will they all work, it is going in a 1968 coupe and i would like to center the the pumpkin, any advice greatly appeciated, thank you 

Are you sure you need to cut the Explorer rear end for a 68?  They are a bit wider than a 66 and all the cutting we've been talking about is for  the early car (65-66).

Just want you to be sure.

BB


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

9/16/2013 6:18 AM  #4


Re: 8.8 swap

demano wrote:

getting ready to cut down the long side axle tube and have seen that some say to cut out 2 3/4", others say 2 15/16" or 2 7/8", and others at 3" will they all work, it is going in a 1968 coupe and i would like to center the the pumpkin, any advice greatly appeciated, thank you 

 
Measure the long axle. Measure the short axle. Subtract the short axle measurement from the long axle measurement. That's how much to cut out. Before you cut, scribe a line on the tube past the two cut points. When you weld them back together, align the scribe lines and the end of the tube will be clocked correctly. I used a pipe cutter on mine to get squared ends.


You can lead a horse to water, but you can't get him drunk
 

9/16/2013 2:12 PM  #5


Re: 8.8 swap

No need to cut down the Explorer rear end for a '68. It should be within 1/4"-1/2" from the original axle.
Ooops...thats assuming your using the Explorer 8.8

65-66 mustang = 57.25"
67-70 mustang = 59.25"
95-2000 Explorer (disc brakes) = 59.50"

Here is how one guy centered the chunk in an 8.8:
http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21538

Last edited by ponch0v (9/16/2013 5:13 PM)

 

9/16/2013 4:15 PM  #6


Re: 8.8 swap

So let me get this straight...you cut down your own axel tubes? I thought this was some sort of rocket sience left to the professionals...is this something your average mechanically inclined do it yourself -er could do?  My 9 inch is a little wide now that I have the mini tubs in. I'm going to have to get 6 or 7 inch backspace wheels to fit...I've seen 6 but not 7.


65 mustang coupe, 351W, C6-  2800 stall, B&M blower, 9inch- trac-loc 3.70 gears
 

9/16/2013 5:25 PM  #7


Re: 8.8 swap

Brents65 wrote:

So let me get this straight...you cut down your own axel tubes? I thought this was some sort of rocket sience left to the professionals...is this something your average mechanically inclined do it yourself -er could do?  My 9 inch is a little wide now that I have the mini tubs in. I'm going to have to get 6 or 7 inch backspace wheels to fit...I've seen 6 but not 7.

 
No rocket science. I threw the rearend in the back of my truck, drove to a tool rental place and rented the pipe cutter. Made the two cuts, returned the cutter, went home and welded her up. On mine I made the cut to be centered in the middle of the new saddle. A little overkill to reinforce the tube weld. Several thousand miles and a few trips to the drag strip and no problems.


You can lead a horse to water, but you can't get him drunk
 

9/16/2013 6:01 PM  #8


Re: 8.8 swap

Did you cut down the axel as well?


65 mustang coupe, 351W, C6-  2800 stall, B&M blower, 9inch- trac-loc 3.70 gears
 

9/16/2013 9:47 PM  #9


Re: 8.8 swap

No need to cut an axle.  Just get an extra short side axle, so you have 2 short explorer axles, and toss the long one.

 

Board footera


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