8 inch rear swap question..

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Matterick, Jan 4, 2015.

  1. Matterick

    Matterick Matt Somerville

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    71 mav with a 170..will the 8 inch require a driveline from a 5 lug car?
     
    Matterick, Jan 4, 2015
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  2. yellow75

    yellow75 MCCI Oregon State Rep Supporting Member

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    Have you looked to see if it is an 8" ? If it is original it will be the 7.25" rearend. Either way it would just be a matter of finding the correct u joint but I believe any driveline from a 2 door car will work
     
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2015
    yellow75, Jan 4, 2015
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  3. Matterick

    Matterick Matt Somerville

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    Haven't looked yet, but I did notice the driveline is a skinny little thing. Sounds like I should be ok though if it's just a matter of the right u joint! Thanks!
     
    Matterick, Jan 4, 2015
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  4. 71Mavrk

    71Mavrk Member

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    I believe it was the first year for production that had the smaller rear end. My '71 had 8". I swapped in one from a '74 with zero problems and used the original drive shaft.

    Micah
     
    71Mavrk, Jan 4, 2015
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  5. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

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    As far as I have ever seen.....ALL 1971's had the 8" rear axle.
     
    Craig Selvey, Jan 4, 2015
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  6. Matterick

    Matterick Matt Somerville

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    Ah now I see where I brought in some confusion....I'm switching to the 5 lug 8 inch! My bad guys!
     
    Matterick, Jan 4, 2015
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  7. mav1970

    mav1970 Bob Hatcher

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    Are you referring to the drive shaft?
     
    mav1970, Jan 4, 2015
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  8. silver70

    silver70 Eric

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    I pulled my original 1970 200/3-on-the-tree/7.5" and swapped in a 302/C4/ 8" from a '74 and my skinny stock driveshaft from the '70 worked just fine. Length, splines, U-joints, everything. If that helps at all. :huh:

    Eric
     
    silver70, Jan 4, 2015
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  9. rthomas771

    rthomas771 Member

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    Early Mavericks came with a 7.25" ring gear.
     
    rthomas771, Jan 4, 2015
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  10. yellow75

    yellow75 MCCI Oregon State Rep Supporting Member

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    My bad also I was thinking since the car had a 170 then most likely it would have the 7.25 rearend, sorry for misinformation as the 71 should have the 8" with 4 lug bolt pattern
     
    yellow75, Jan 4, 2015
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  11. silver70

    silver70 Eric

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    Oops. I guess I had the 7.25" then, too.
     
    silver70, Jan 5, 2015
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  12. Lee Richart

    Lee Richart Member

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    If indeed it is a 1971, it should have an 8". All you have to change to get five lug wheels are the axles and brake drums.
    Lee "THE MAV" Richart
     
    Lee Richart, Jan 5, 2015
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  13. rthomas771

    rthomas771 Member

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    5-lug 8" axles don't fit a 4-lug 8" housing...the axle bearings have a different O.D. and different I.D.
    To make the swap the ends of the axle tubes will need to be swapped.
     
    rthomas771, Jan 5, 2015
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  14. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

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    I have heard that one can custom order a bearing to do this swap as well....but doesn't really seem worth all the extra work. :D
     
    Craig Selvey, Jan 5, 2015
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