i have a 73 comet gt and i was wondering if the 79-93 mustang Complete 8.8 Rear End with 4:10 gears limited slip will fit? im getting it for $300 so i was wondering, what is it gonna take to swap this out or how can i tell if it a true limited slip or 4:10 gear? i know it has a square housing, but what about the inside? how hard is the swap?
Just a few from the search function... http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=68967&highlight=axle+swap http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=51492&highlight=axle+swap http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=48832&highlight=axle+swap
This is the best documented one, with pictures: explorer 8.8 rear end bracket welding install pictures
The only issue with that one, was he didn't cut the long side down, to center the rearend up. Since it was an Explorer rear, they are offset. I don't think too many people, would really want to beat their floor up with a hammer, just to make it work....Other than that, it shows whats involved. I'll be doing the same thing at some point, but I'm going to center it up.
Joedirt has a nice 8.8 in his and I think Bryant did one also but I could be wrong??? Might want to check their threads.
Would the cost of trying to get this to fit, be as much as getting a Posi third member that fits my axle already?
some one on here told me about cutting the one side down and using the 8inch axles and the 8 inch ends for c-clip eliminators and use all the brake parts from the 8 inch....sorry if that was already said although an 8.8 out of a mustang doesnt have a right and a left axle like a ranger or van...is the drive line centered on the mustang 8.8's unlike the other 8.8's? just wondering. probably a stupid question.
The driveline on Mustangs are approximately off center 1.5" to the right, allowing equal length axles. Mavericks are centered. the only stupid question is the one not asked.
I just cut a 91 Mustang limited slip 3.73 for my Maverick. Cut the housing ends off of the 8 inch about an inch and a half inside of the spring perches. Then cut the ends off the 8.8. Welded the 8 inch ends onto the 8.8 housing. Cut a quarter inch off each 8 inch 28 spline axle. What I ended up with is an 8.8, 3.73 limited slip, with bolt in axles instead of c-clips that measures 56 inches overall. I also kept the drum brakes from the 8 inch. Just put it under the car a few days ago.
If you don't mind me asking, how exactly did you go about getting the ends square and centered while welding so that the axle stays true? I've been wanting to do this myself but everyone I talk to around here acts like it's voodoo or something.
8.8 Mods I just used a chop saw to cut the tubes. Then I put a 45 degree bevel on each tube to be welded using an ordinary bench grinder and belt sander. I also have a narrowing jig that I put in to hold everything square. I do think you could do the same job with a homemade jig. (Two pieces of one and a half inch angle clamped on opposite sides of the axle tube). I used one piece of angle clamped to the axle tube to hold the tube straight since the tubes were being joined about eight inches from the end, and then slid the jig into place. Without the jig, I see no reason why you could not just stick the axle into the rear and weld it up. Spot it about an inch apart all the way around, then go back and weld it about a half inch at a time and let it cool in between. The hardest part of the job was making sure the measurements were all correct before cutting the tubes. Something to think about. I purchased the narrowing jig because I also own a restoration shop and wanted to start doing the narrowing jobs in house, but the 8.8 Mustang rear is commonly available in my area for $100 a pop. I already had the 8 inch Maverick rear. The narrowing jig cost around $400. Total cost to do one rear $500. Can't touch a nine inch for that...Good luck.
