Ford 9 or 8.8? Input Needed
#1
Ford 9 or 8.8? Input Needed
Ok guys, my indecision has me requesting some input from you guys.
I have a 65 Mustang with a mild 306/T-5 combination. I am in need of a rear axle.
What I have:
Versailles 9 housing and 28 spline axles, no center section.
Option 1:
Should I stick with this and get a center section, posi, gears, etc. I also have North Racecars sn95 brackets and rotors. I figure I would need at least $500 to get this thing together not really accounting for any kind of posi or locker. Keeping the 28 spline axles of course.
Option 2:
Explorer 8.8. A local junkyard sells complete rear axles for $100 no matter what they are out of and I have spotted several Explorers. I would need to have a buddy of mine shorten one side of the housing and pick up a spare shorter axle from the same yard for about $20. I would get 3.73 geras, posi, disc brakes, and a hefty weight reduction. I can sell the 9 and probably end up making some money for an aluminum cover/girdle.
Everything points to the 8.8 but I wanted your input on this.
Fred
I have a 65 Mustang with a mild 306/T-5 combination. I am in need of a rear axle.
What I have:
Versailles 9 housing and 28 spline axles, no center section.
Option 1:
Should I stick with this and get a center section, posi, gears, etc. I also have North Racecars sn95 brackets and rotors. I figure I would need at least $500 to get this thing together not really accounting for any kind of posi or locker. Keeping the 28 spline axles of course.
Option 2:
Explorer 8.8. A local junkyard sells complete rear axles for $100 no matter what they are out of and I have spotted several Explorers. I would need to have a buddy of mine shorten one side of the housing and pick up a spare shorter axle from the same yard for about $20. I would get 3.73 geras, posi, disc brakes, and a hefty weight reduction. I can sell the 9 and probably end up making some money for an aluminum cover/girdle.
Everything points to the 8.8 but I wanted your input on this.
Fred
#2
What I have:
Versailles 9 housing and 28 spline axles, no center section.
Option 1:
Should I stick with this and get a center section, posi, gears, etc. I also have North Racecars sn95 brackets and rotors. I figure I would need at least $500 to get this thing together not really accounting for any kind of posi or locker. Keeping the 28 spline axles of course.
Not true. You can get a complete, ready to install 9" Traction-Lok center section with your choice of gears for $549.
Option 2:
Explorer 8.8. A local junkyard sells complete rear axles for $100 no matter what they are out of and I have spotted several Explorers. I would need to have a buddy of mine shorten one side of the housing and pick up a spare shorter axle from the same yard for about $20. I would get 3.73 gears, posi, disc brakes, and a hefty weight reduction. I can sell the 9 and probably end up making some money for an aluminum cover/girdle.
Lotta work in this option.
Versailles had disc brakes. These are gone? You don't really need rear discs on these cars on the street, of course.
Versailles 9 housing and 28 spline axles, no center section.
Option 1:
Should I stick with this and get a center section, posi, gears, etc. I also have North Racecars sn95 brackets and rotors. I figure I would need at least $500 to get this thing together not really accounting for any kind of posi or locker. Keeping the 28 spline axles of course.
Not true. You can get a complete, ready to install 9" Traction-Lok center section with your choice of gears for $549.
Option 2:
Explorer 8.8. A local junkyard sells complete rear axles for $100 no matter what they are out of and I have spotted several Explorers. I would need to have a buddy of mine shorten one side of the housing and pick up a spare shorter axle from the same yard for about $20. I would get 3.73 gears, posi, disc brakes, and a hefty weight reduction. I can sell the 9 and probably end up making some money for an aluminum cover/girdle.
Lotta work in this option.
Versailles had disc brakes. These are gone? You don't really need rear discs on these cars on the street, of course.
#3
#6
I would keep the Versailles rear end. I got a rebuilt center section with traction lock and my choice of gears for about 600 dollars with shipping. I went with 3.50 gears. I think the Ebay seller was Rmustang or RUmustang.
Last edited by tx65coupe; 12-27-2010 at 04:47 PM.
#7
The Versailles is about the worst factory disc brake rear end that was made, parts are expensive, and the brakes are not very good, so you know my opinion. I would ditch the Versailles discs, convert it to drum and go from there. You will end up with a heavy duty big bearing 9" that will be easy to change gears in. Get a junkyard center section and be on the road. You can always install a posi and aftermarket discs later on.
#9
Your right about that. The Versailles brakes are kinda funky and definitely could be better. My rear discs work farily well, but the parking brake has to be adjusted every 6-12 months. With them and the Granada front brakes, my car stops really well, better than I expected.
What drum brake setup is easy to swap over to it? I may be interested in doing that, if I have to redo the rear brakes later. I'm curious which cars have easy to get parts.
What drum brake setup is easy to swap over to it? I may be interested in doing that, if I have to redo the rear brakes later. I'm curious which cars have easy to get parts.
Last edited by tx65coupe; 12-29-2010 at 01:05 AM.
#10
I guess a JY center section it will be until I can get a locker and the desired gears.
I pretty much already have most of the stuff to do a sn95 rear disc set-up on the 9, short of the calipers.
Anyone have any advice on what to look under for a 28 spline center section in the junkyard? I believe most trucks and Broncos came with 31 spline or am I mistaken?
Fred
I pretty much already have most of the stuff to do a sn95 rear disc set-up on the 9, short of the calipers.
Anyone have any advice on what to look under for a 28 spline center section in the junkyard? I believe most trucks and Broncos came with 31 spline or am I mistaken?
Fred