thinking about doing a 8.8 swap to my 68

68dustin · 02-18-2009, 02:55 PM

so where should i begin... Should i go with a early 90's 8.8 with the 4 lug and convert it over to 5 lug? Or should i look for a early 90's explorer 8.8? What are the differences? what should i look out for? problem areas? I really dont want to shorten the rear end at all. anybody done this? please chime in with personal experiences? thanks

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Starfury · 02-18-2009, 03:06 PM

The explorer 8.8 has an offset diff, iirc, and won't make an ideal conversion. It moves the diff off-center of the tunnel, changing driveshaft angles and moving the pinion snubber off the bump stop.

A fox body 8.8 makes a great conversion because it's the perfect width for your car and usually comes with a traction-loc diff. 5 lug axles/brakes can be had from some 80's rangers and aerostars, easy finds in a junkyard. The only tricky part is hacking off the coil spring mounts and getting leaf spring perches welded on with the proper pinion angle. Nothing too difficult, but the angle does need to be correct.

69FB · 02-18-2009, 04:02 PM

I think some of the Thunderbirds and Lincoln Mark series cars had 8.8 rearend in them with trac-locs as well...

68dustin · 02-18-2009, 04:06 PM

thanks.. that was some of the answers i was looking for.... go with the mustang rear end.. then covert it to 5 lug... what is the ideal pinion angle..ive been reading 4 degrees?

JERM_1967stang · 02-18-2009, 07:02 PM

i've always been told no less then three no more then 13. but dont quote me on it not positive. i know its no less then 3 cause vibration control is the reason for pinon angle.

drexelsteve · 02-18-2009, 09:12 PM

late 90's explorer 8.8. 31 spline axles not 28 like fox stangs, disc brakes, tracloc diff's, width IIRC within an inch of the 68 8", readily available with 3.73 or 4.10's. Flange mount, no more ubolts. Best bang for the buck no question. The offset diff is absolutely nothing to worry about, think about it... hitting a bump changes the "driveshaft angles" lol. I've swapped an explorer 8.8 into a ranger, a jeep wrangler, and my 68 stang. Haven't broken one yet.

dcohen · 02-18-2009, 09:20 PM

why not get a 9 inch?

68dustin · 02-18-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drexelsteve

late 90's explorer 8.8. 31 spline axles not 28 like fox stangs, disc brakes, tracloc diff's, width IIRC within an inch of the 68 8", readily available with 3.73 or 4.10's. Flange mount, no more ubolts. Best bang for the buck no question. The offset diff is absolutely nothing to worry about, think about it... hitting a bump changes the "driveshaft angles" lol. I've swapped an explorer 8.8 into a ranger, a jeep wrangler, and my 68 stang. Haven't broken one yet.

so im confused?? explorer or mustang...??? do you have any pics of your explorer swap... how much is the center offset? where drive shaft is??

I really dont want to do a nine inch because of cost and finding one is a little harder than a 8.8, the 8.8 are a dime a dozen.

andrewmp6 · 02-18-2009, 10:27 PM

The Thunderbirds and Lincoln Mark 8 had a 8.8 but they was irs from 89 up i believe.Been me id build a 9 inch and forget about it the 8.8 is ok but i rather have a 9 inch.

Starfury · 02-19-2009, 02:07 AM

Drexel, an offset diff is something to worry about, especially if you're putting down enough power to cause axle wrap or smack the pinion onto the bump stop. Ideally, you want the u-joint angles to be as close as you can get them to eachother, and as small as you can get them. Offsetting the pinion doesn't help this. And that inch difference in width is going to make a big difference in wheel choice.

Considering how plentiful fox body rear ends are (I got one for free), and how easy it is to convert them to 5-lug, I don't see how an Explorer conversion is superior in any way, shape, or form.