nesman10

I am in the process of converting to a 5 lug rear axle on my 66 inline six
I have already converted the front to five lug 11 inch disc brakes.
My current axle is 57.5 inches wide drumface to drumface. I bought bullit rims where the mounting face is 5.5" from the inner rim edge
Im running 245/45/17 tyres and they protrude no more that 1/4" over the edge on the inside.
My current drum face is 3.5" from the inside wheelwell wall, that would mean i need to set my wheel 2.25" from the inside rim to be even with inside wall, i would think i would need another 1.25" clearance to make sure i dont rub against the interiour.
Question 1: would that be enough clearance from inside wheelwell wall?

If that clearance is acceptable then my axle needs to be wider by 2.25"(the difference in the rim width and the drumface from the back well wall) plus 1.25" clearance, so 3.5" wider per side than my current axle. That would mean a total axle width of 61 inches.
I was thinking of using an explorer rear axle.
Please provide any insight you might think applicable
Many thanks
N

clowe1965

1.25 is plenty, you could narrow it down to 3/4 without issues assuming near stock ride height. You gonna weld all the perches on yourself on the exploder 8.8?

nesman10

i am welding the perches myself with my mig. are there issues i should be wary of?
thanks for the clearance answer
much appreciated
i went to the junk yard and looked at several axles
the total length for the explorer was 59.5 inches disc , looked at a 2000 and 95 Explorer1995
Im thinking the mustang axle below will be a better fit
let me know your thoughts
thanks
N

other axles i looked at:
mustang v6 Disc 61.5 inches
1994 grand marquis v8 disc 64 inches
1995 explorer v6 disc 59.5 inches
2000 explorer v8 disc 59.5 inches
1994 towncar v8 disc 64.5 inches
2001 grand marquis v8 disc 66 inches

clowe1965

Nope no issues, just something I personally have avoided for fear of getting the alignment wrong. You can also look at ford ranger 4.0 Axles, its also an 8.8, some of them have tloc too.

nesman10

Darn, I cant beleive I forgot about the Ranger, I'm going to look. It would also come with the leaf spring perches provided they line up
Thanks a ton again for the good advice
I am going with a 5.0 302 motor next so the 8.8 is what I would prefer
I'm keeping the c4 auto transmission for the time being.
Do you think my revs will be too high on the interstate at 65 to 70?
Also, if I do the ranger axle would my driveshaft length change?
Thanks
N

clowe1965

Depends, the rangers came with several different ratios. I just swapped a 302 and t5 into a ranger out of my 65 and didn't have to swap driveshafts, but you're going the opposite way so I can't be sure. You will have to swap out the axle end of the driveshaft to get the correct flange since the original used u bolts to connect to the u joint. Not sure how the c4 compares, but with the t5 and the stock 3.27:1 ratio of the ranger it rode at 1500 rpm at 45 mph in 4th 1:1 gear.

Where are you at in sc? We can usually get a group together and have a install party at your place if you're interested.

clowe1965

http://columbia.craigslist.org/pts/4269634246.html
Not a ranger but its an 8.8

clowe1965

If you do get an axle out of a ranger based vehicle, I have a driveshaft flange for my 7.5", which should bolt up to the 8.8 if you need it.

nesman10

Darn, second post that I lost in reply. Going to make it brief before i lose it again.
I went to the junk yard and measured a ranger 1998 6cyl . The axle was 58.5 and had drum brakes So i think the mustang axle is better all round.
the link for the craiglist axle is off a 3.8L, Are they 8.8 standard cause the junk yard will/ sell me a whole axle for $80 out a v6 1996.
Im the Greenville are btw but in Winston Salem on contract till summer.
I will gladly provide the cold Yuenglings for friendship and advice.

Thaniks for/the offer Clowe of the flange, Ill keep that in mind, if I get the Mustang axle Imgoing to try do the mustang driveshaft as well

clowe1965

Oops my bad, got it confused with another ad that was a gt, so nope its a 7.5 out of the v6s. It would work fine for your i6, just doesn't have as many available parts for beefing it up, nor do they come stock with t-loc. I've got a contact in arkansas with a ford bone yard, he could get you an 8 or 9" out of a classic if you wanted it, but its gonna be a bit more than $80. We've got members in greenville and close to winston salem, so if you ever want to hang out and talk cars check out some of the other threads for some gtg (get togethers).