It's been a few months now. We have the 4.6 dohc 01 Cobra engine and 5 speed sitting in the engine compartment. Most body work completed. Still tons of work to be done along with figuring out what parts will fit. Just starting to research the rear end. 72 grabber with 8" and 2.79 gears. Rod and Custom front end is in and will have disc brakes up front. I wonder if a late model mustang(1999-2004) rear end will fit or is it too wide? I cant remember the WMS measurement on the Maverick. What is the WMS measurement of a late model mustang? Would love to have disc brakes on the rear. Should I rebuild the original 8" and will it hold up to 320 to 450 HP? Or should I get a 9" Thanks for your help
For the least fabbing, the 9" with discs or the later Explorer 8.8 with leaf springs could be considered. Anything else would be of some other suspension setup and need more work but as long as your with the DOHC motor anythings possible now, even a rear sub-frame to mount anything you want. Sounds like a good advanced project.
The late model mustangs are alot wider than the Maverick. Most, if not all, of those wheels have about 5" of backspacing. 9" would be my choice. Where at in N. Va. are you?
if you're dead set on getting rear discs, you can install a 9" with discs out of a Lincoln Versailles(sp?) but you probably knew that already.
Late model Exploder discs can be installed on 8" and some 9" rears... There is also a late Lincoln with rear discs that transfer to the 8"/small bearing 9". These swaps beat the Versilles swap due to much lighter weight of componets. Go 9"... Dave
I'm trying to follow along, but I'm confused. Above, bluegrass says, "For the least fabbing, the 9" with discs or the later Explorer 8.8 with leaf springs could be considered" Is that saying that some of the explorers came with 9"? I thought they all had 8.8. I guess what I'm saying is; from all of this, where can a guy find a reliable source for 9" or 8.8" leaf axles that aren't so darn wide? I don't mind retrofitting explorer discs, I just need to find the axle that fits (and won't grenade with tons of sticky and plenty of power)
Explorer 8.8 Rear end Did some research. Hopefully accurate. 1995 to 2001 Ford explorer Rear end: a. 59.5" wms to wms b. 2.5 " wider than Maverick ( or 1.25" on each side) c. 5 x 4.5 bolt spacing d. these years came with disc brakes e. came with 3.55, 3.73 or 4.10 gears f. some had Trac-Lok limited slip?? g. 11.25" rotors h. 31 spline with 1.31" axle diameter Could i use this rear end if I use a custom or different backspacing on the rear wheels??
Explorers are 8.8 rears. The spring purchases are too close together and the width is much wider that the stock Maverick. Check out this thread for some more info on Explorers. http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=3105&highlight=explorer
The last part of your question answers it for me. Go for a 9".. and curry has a bolt in for you. Mavaholic did it that way,, I did it the hard way from A -Z,, but I did disc brakes and pinion angle on my own. Mavaholic's way is the way to go IMO. Dan
OR, you could use Chevy S10 4x4 rotors, have them drilled to the small bolt pattern (or slotted...whichever you prefer), S10 calipers, and a set of brackets...that will allow cheap rear discs that work great. Mine cost less than $100 total a couple years ago, for BOTH sides, brand new. The brackets were around $12 back then. It's a popular circle track mod.
Currie Rear Looked at the Currie website. They have a stage 2 rear 9" with explorer disc brakes. Ready to bolt in. Hmm, I wonder how much Cash$$$$
I bought a Currie rear for my Sprint a little over 3 years ago. It has a detroit locker, 31 spline axles and the big drum brakes. It was $2195 delivered to my door. Well actually, delievered to my work place door. Cost more to have it dropped at a residential location.
