Hello everyone, Question about axles. I have a 72 that was originally a 6 cylinder car so it currently has a 4 bolt 8" rear. My question is what axles will fit to go to 5 bolt? I have done a bit of research and it seems that the early cars, up to 72 are the same length and the axles get longer starting in 73. Will the 73 and later fit my housing? Is the difference that much? Was a t-lok rear ever available in a Maverick? I know they are tough to find but just wondering. Thanks!
do a search on the 4 lug axles. the 5 lug axles do not fit the 4 lug housing. the bearing sizes are different. you need to change the whole rear end to a 5 lug rear. trak loc was not available in a maverick.
Thanks, I think . No, really, Thanks! Now I have to dig up a whole rear end. May as well go 9" rether than screw around with 8" parts that I may break. Unless something really good comes along that is what I will probably do. Jon
The 8 inch would be good enough depending on what kind of horsepower you plan to run in front of it. An 8 inch should be good up to at least 300hp or so IMHO. 9 inch units that will bolt right in are getting harder and harder to find. Just my .
I agree, unless you plan on running slicks with a manual trans the 8" is fine. On Ford Muscles project 67 mustang 8" rear they broke a axle and twisted one with 400+ HP , since then they upgraded the axles so only time will tell if it can keep taking the abuse. http://www.fordmuscle.com/ProjectCars/
If you just want to replace the 8", then just find a 5 lug 8" from a Maverick. If you intend to build it, you might as well get a 9". All the parts and labor to build a strong 8" are as much or more than a 9". You'll have nearly the same dough invested in a 8", but a far weaker rear. The only thing cheaper about an 8" rear is the housing. Everything else for the 9" is so common and flooding the market, the 9" is actually cheaper in that respect.
How about a C4 with 14" BFG radials? I have broken 2 of 4 8" rears that way. Actually 3 were broken with an auto and radials, but I don't count the one with the 460. Weak rears IMO. Fwiw: I have never broken an axle. It's always been the gear or diff.
I just got a call from my Dad who is at a swap meet in Denver and I got an complete less brakes 8" out of a V8 maverick. $75. I'll look into axles and figure out what rear end ratio to run. I am going to be running a toploader and it will most likley have the DOT M&H's on it so there will be some "abuse". We'll see. Jon
Don't put much money into building it! You're flushing it down the drain! My toploader'd 302 ate my 8" quick. And that was with 245/60/14 radials. At least the 8s I lost behind C4s lasted a couple years.
