I found a 8.8 with 373 gears and limited slip. The guy wants $250. I know I will have to relocate the perches(no biggie). Does this sound like a good deal? Oh yeah, no disk, just drums.

 

As long as it is 5 lug/you have the conversion parts, it will be okay.

Look at Scott Hs signature. good pics there.

 

It would cost you that much to upgrade your 8" to limited slip, so yeah, sounds like a pretty good deal if it fits and all. Too bad you couldn't find an 8.8 with disks though.

 

I did find an 8.8 in Anchorage. He said it is an 8.8" rearend from 88 lincoln mark VII and has air suspension and disc brakes with shocks. He also stated it had an agressive gear ratio. Does anyone know what gearing they used for the Lincln mk VII? What is the air suspension? Is that something that can be used or 86'ed?

 

Do some research on the Mark VII rears for 88. They were either 3.08 or 3.27. Not bad, but the axles are most likely too wide for your mustang. Here is some info I dug up.


Mark VII 8.8"
The Lincoln Mark VII also began using its own unique width 8.8" rear end around 1986. The Mark 8.8" is approximately 3/4" per side wider than a Mustang/Cougar/T-Bird rear end. Again, wheel offsets may need adjusted, although it is usually better to have a bit more width than less. All Fox Lincolns had 5-lug axles. There have been reports of Marks with 7.5" rears and drum brakes as well, so if you are shopping for a Mark axle be aware of this. The safest bet is to look at 1988-1992 LSC's (look for the third brake light in the rear window and LSC badges, and you'll be fine). Beginning in 1989, all Marks had standard ABS brakes. It is not worth the time and effort to try to make ABS brakes work on a Mustang/Cougar. The rear end gear for all Mark VII's was 3.27 (locking) or 3.08 (non-locking).

 

thanks for the research Soaring. Your'e just like a Dad[8D]

 

if u want the performance gear ratio rearend from a mark7 it has to be from a diesel mark 7 they have 3.73 trac loc and 5 lug disc

 

True dat, but how do you compensate for the 3/4" difference in length of the axle?

 

im not sure of the stock width of the 65-66 rears? but i would think somone like me building a restomod with modern will wouldnt need spacers? since the backspacing is about 5.72inch i beileve?

 

What's it out of?
There are many variations of the 8.8" rear end. Some are right, and some require a lot of work. Also, If someone has changed the gears, I'd want to look at the pattern, and listen to the gears. 8.8" is very picky in regards to pattern and backlash. They'll whine louder than a jewish princess at Chucky Cheese if they aren't set up right.

Good luck,