8.8 rear end of a Mustang

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Diazj7, Jan 24, 2017.

  1. Diazj7

    Diazj7 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2017
    Messages:
    99
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    20
    Location:
    Tracy, ca
    Vehicle:
    1972 ford maverick grabber
    Would the 8.8 rear end from the Mustang fit in 72 Maverick ?
     
  2. mojo

    mojo "Everett"- Senior Citizen Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2009
    Messages:
    5,270
    Likes Received:
    833
    Trophy Points:
    513
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    73 Comet GT-302 4bl
    Not w/o modification!
     
    Diazj7 likes this.
  3. rotorr22

    rotorr22 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2008
    Messages:
    1,302
    Likes Received:
    259
    Trophy Points:
    211
    Location:
    Columbiana, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2018 F150 XLT/5.0, 2014 Focus 5 spd manual,1974 Maverick Grabber, 1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0/AOD
    One thing you must keep in mind is that fox Mustang 8.8's are designed for an entirely different kind of suspension than what you have under a Maverick or a Comet. As such, there are brackets and clevis's welded and cast on the housing that are of no use to your Maverick. There are no leaf spring perches either. If it is a drum brake configuration and if you desire disks, you must pull the rear cover, remove a large pin and take out the clips retaining the axles. This can all be dealt with, but it is just more work. You will have to have it narrowed or purchase a wheel with a lot of offset.

    If you are going to go to all of the work to replace the 8" , for my money, a 9" swap makes a lot more sense. Like the 8.8", most 9" housings will have to be narrowed for a Maverick unless you use an offset wheel. The advantage is that it is way stronger than the 8.8, has a removable gear carrier (a HUGE advantage), the axles can easily be removed without draining the fluid and it is designed for a leaf spring suspension. The gear carrier is not integral to the housing, meaning that one can have several carriers with different ratio's that can be swapped out with relative ease. The aftermarket makes aluminum housings and components to lighten them, if this is desired.

    Don't discount the stock 8" either. It has many of the same attributes as the 9". Its not as strong, but you will likely never break one on the street. You can do some limited drag racing with the 8" provided that you are not launching the car at 5K with a stick and slicks. Indeed, there are a number of cars on this forum running 11's and 12's with an 8".
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2017
    mojo and Maverick Dude like this.

Share This Page