Rear 8" can I just swap shafts?

Working on a 71 maverick with a 76 maverick donor. Doing 4 lug drum to 5 lug disk swap. Wouldn't it be easier to swap shafts in the rear 8" rather than the entire rear end to achieve 5 lug? I'm going to have to redo the brakes anyways. I imagine the 8" is just like the 9" without a "C" clip?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Think I found my answer on another forum. And the answer is "NO".

If you have the 8-inch Maverick rear end with the 4-lug axles you cannot just switch out with 5-lug axles. The 4-lug Maverick rear end uses the same brake backing plate as the 7.25 rear end, and smaller bearings than the V8 rear end. The 4-lug axle flange has a trapezoid pattern whereas the 5-lug flange has a rectangular pattern. The 4-lug axle is smaller in diameter than the 5-lug axle; the bearing is smaller; and the flange is different.

 

Sorry, doesn't work. I hoped for the same when I did my swap.

Micah

 

Boy I'd say golden oldie... Parts Mavericks have become almost extinct in the past 10 years around here. The prices that were rambled off in this thread took me back a solid 10 if not even more.

There is a trend now days where "Reproduction" has reset prices for used parts. A set of disk brake 5 lug spindles and 5 lug matching 8" shafts can't be bought no less than $300 - $500. I just jumped at $350 cause it was very close by and the dude was able to sit the car up on stands for me.

Rusted out 5 lug mavericks are going for $700+ in my area. I used to buy them to part out but have not found one less than $500 in the last 8-10 years.

But another personal thought to add, since these cars are such a rarity being most got squashed in the last metal rush, there likely won't ever be any reproduction parts besides universal parts that fits other models. So fenders, bumpers, grabber parts most likely will become worth whatever someone is willing to pay.

I part out bronco's and F100's as well and the aftermarket / reproduction is slowly killing it for me. There used to be certain items I could get $4-500 for all day long that are $2-250 brand new now. So OEM is worth even less.

 

It cuts both ways. Reproduction Maverick fenders are now out there....but they are $500+. Makes my nice $300 fenders seem like a bargain now.