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Mustang 8.8 rearend.

Ironhead

Member
I have several 8.8 rearends from past cars. Is there any solid reason not to use one? They are 59" drum to drum. I know there are more popular rearends to use but I'm sitting on three of these 8.8's and know how to set them up etc. Took quite a while today to shave off the existing mount brackets. The axle tubes are thin so will have to use caution when welding as not to warp.
 
I have several 8.8 rearends from past cars. Is there any solid reason not to use one? They are 59" drum to drum. I know there are more popular rearends to use but I'm sitting on three of these 8.8's and know how to set them up etc. Took quite a while today to shave off the existing mount brackets. The axle tubes are thin so will have to use caution when welding as not to warp.

The 8.8 is a great rear end to use. The only thing I don't like about them is the pinion is not centered. Other than that there is no reason not to use them.
 
The 8.8 is a great rear end to use. The only thing I don't like about them is the pinion is not centered. Other than that there is no reason not to use them.
Center of pinion problem is an easy fix, just make a larger than the plate bracket (I have one on the front of my T) and mount the rear plate to that bracket and that will hide the off center fact... :)
 
I'm using a Ford 8.8 from an Explorer in my 27T. The pumkin offset is about 2 inches to the passenger side but so what. Who cares if it's centered. On a bucket this might be a problem because of the high drive angle caused by the short drive shaft. On a 27T it's not an issue. The SUV and truck 8.8's have the heavy duty axles and the tubes are not thin. Spirit cars uses those for their rear disc brake axles. As far a strength goes, any axle that can stand the forces of a 4,500 lb vehicle pulling a 5,000 lb trailer can surely handle those encountered in a 2,000 lb car. With 26.6 tires, 3.55 diff and a Ford AOD, I'll be cruising at 75 MPH and 2320 RPM; right in the best fuel economy range of a Ford 302 engine.
 
All of my 8.8's are fox mustang units. I had a 514/powerglide street hot rod for a while and never tore up the differential. It had moser axles and c clip eliminator but otherwise stock traction lock. The one I'm planning for my T is 3.23 traction lock in good shape. I feel like that will be a good ratio for a lightweight T with small block ford with a c4. Thanks to all for the opinions. One more thing, just eyeballing a tape measure on the mustang unit it looks like about 1 " pinion offset.
 

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