Can you guys tell me what rear ends can be used . I want to go to 5 lug. I see alot of Fox Mustang rears and Rangers out there ? Also is it a 8 inch I want or 8.8 or 7.5, Imean whats the differents
Granada,Mercury monarch,67/68 Mustang/comet.There's more,just can't remember right now.I think iirc granada and the mustang might be just a bit longer(wider) than the factory mav 8". The 8" 5 lug is what you want.8" 4 lug has smaller bearings than the 8" 5 lug housing,so...the axles can't be swapped out.The 7.5" 4 lug rear is a great boat anchor,and wouldn't stand up to any real power.
Here's a great resource concerning housing widths http://www.50chevy.freeservers.com/Suspension_Widths.html#REAR
I'm installing an 8.8 out of a 98 Mustang Cobra in mine. It's 1 1/7" wider per side which is no big deal if you want to run late model style wheels. Plus you have rear disc!
Only some very rare and sought after fox Mustangs were 5 lug, like the '93 Cobra R. 99.9% of them were 4 lug from the factory. 5 lug didn't become standard until the SN95's hit the road in '94. Any 5 lug 8 inch from any '71-'77 Maverick or Comet will be a direct bolt in.
now there's a strength difference between the different size rears too right? would the 8" hold up to any performance mods and whatnot?
an 8 inch should hold around 350hp. A lot of guys are running deep into the 7's in the 1/8 with 8 inch rears and stock axles
8" out of a Granada/Monarch will be about an inch wider per side, and that will actually help you center an old school wheel better in the wheelhouse if you want to stuff it full of tire. Same for some late 60s Falcons. Both should have the spring perches in the right place already ... bolt-ins. 8" rears are plenty strong in a light car and up to 400 horse or so. They weigh about 40 lbs less ... better handling ... than a 9" (very strong step up from the others you list). The 8" is also pretty efficient ... doesn't take as much power to turn it over as the bigger axle.
