jcoby

I have an explorer 8.8 axle with the 31-spline 3.73 posi and disc brakes. It's the right width but the pinion offset is going to mess with my plans to lower the car.

I'm thinking of buying an 8.8 housing out of a large fox-body car like town car or a marquis or something that's way too big. They Then buying the 9" 31-spline axles for my '67, adding late ford 9" housing ends, and running a correct width 8.8. It's not much more money than buying a fox body 8.8 and adding 5 lug disc brakes and I end up with a bullet proof 8.8 and no c-clips.

I can buy a bare 8.8 housing for about $40, axles are about $250, ends are $70. Hopefully I can find the late model 9" retainers and at the junkyard too. For about $400 I'd end up with a nearly bullet proof axle using modern components and more power to the wheels with less weight than a 9". I don't plan on drag racing the car but I want to autocross it.

Am I missing something? Will this work?

BeastMachine67

I was going to do the whole 8.8 swap, but it looked like such a pain in the A$$ that i just ending up going with a 8inch carrier that already had 3.55's on it. They make a Auburn posi unit for it which I will install later down the line. BUt, best of luck to what ever works for you.

jcoby

Yeah - the problem with the 8" is that they're really hard to find at a reasonable price (if at all). At least I can't find one. And when you do find one, internal parts are expensive. I really want a posi, and I don't want to spend the $600+ or whatever for an 8" posi.

I used to own an 8" but it got crushed along with the rest of the car (long story; short story is that I'm an idiot sometimes).

1slow67

I paid $40 for the 8in that is installed in my 67.

jcoby

How did you find it?

MonsterBilly

I am in the process of installing an 8.8 into my 66. however, once i trim 2.75 "s from the drivers side it will be the perfect width.

with a 67 you need it to be the original size.

I think you are headed down the right road.

i am getting the same as you, trac loc w/ disc's an my total price is $250.

i tried to find a third member but the cheapest i could find one was $689 + shipping. and that was fro an ebay dude that has a pretty bumpy feedback report.

LynnBob Mustang

Must be a popular price!
I found a complete 8" rear end, not sure what gear though, with drums from a early Maverick through a my local Mustang club for $40 and a V8 Drive shaft as well for another $40.
The Maverick rear end is a 1/2" shorter then a Mustang rear end, so I can put 15"X8"'s in the back with out fear of crushing the qtr's.
Lynn

1slow67

Mine is a 65-66 8" 3.00 gears. I found it at our annual car show in May. My grandfather actually bought it for $100. I told him I wanted it and was going to pay him $100, but I only paid him $40 and he said that was enough. I even got a V8 driveshaft shortened 1" with it.

jcoby

how are you running a early axle on a '67? doesn't the nearly 3" difference cause a problem with wheel fitment?

jcoby

IMO, $250 is too much for an explorer axle. I paid $120 for mine. I'll have to replace the rotors and e brake shoes though. If you find the CARS junkyard for your area you should get one for under $100 if you negotiate with them. Anything over scrap prices (about $4 for an axle) is profit for them.

I think I'm going to reuse the axle ends from the explorer or from the donor car. That'll save me $70. And I think I can shorten and respline two driver's side explorer axles, which will save me another $100.