RES

As I have said in a previous forum, I have an '89 GT parts car for my '69 mustang. The '69 has an 8.8 in rear end that is just about shot. My question is if I swap the axles in the two rear ends, will it work? I want to use the '89 rear end in my '69, but retain my axle shafts so that I still have a five lug set up. Both rears have drums, so no difference there. If I can't steal this axle, where should I begin looking for a direct replacement for the '69 that would be a cheap solution?

tyler72

First of all, your 69 doesn't have an 8.8 in it unless it has been swapped in. The more likely thing is an 8 inch rear end, which has a removable center section similar to a 9 inch. If the center section is removable (8 or 9 inch) then the shafts are not the same as an 8.8. The 8.8 is a c clip axle where as the 8 and 9s use the wheel bearings to retain the shafts. Now, if the rear end in your car is indeed an 8.8 that somebody has swapped in, then you will need to take some general measurements to find out if the housings are the same width and offset. If they are, then the shafts should be interchangeable, as long as they are the same spline count (most are 28). Now, in the more likely situation that the rearend in your 69 is the 8 inch, there is still some good news. The 8.8 in the 89 is the perfect width for the 69, and if you remove the stock link brackets (using a torch, plasma cutter, grinder, or any combination of the previous), some spring perches can be welded on fairly easily. Next issue is the lug pattern. As you mentioned, the 8.8 is 4 lug, and the 69 is 5. Still no big deal to overcome. All you need is 2 driver side shafts from the ranger trucks. They are 28 spline, and the correct length (be sure you get 2 drivers side shafts instead or one driver, one passenger, as the passenger side shafts are too short), and will fit right in the Mustang housing. Last but definitely not least... Brakes. You have 2 options; get the brake assemblies off the rangers you pulled the shafts out of and use them, or you can find the correct 5 lug rear drums that are the same diameter. Unfortunately, I cant remember the application for this. Sorry this is so long, but hopefully this will clear some things up for you and help you figure out what you've got. Anyway, if you need anymore help, PM me, I swapped in an 8.8 into my 72 and love it, so I can help you out with the swap if you decide to go that route.

RES

That really is a great help. I have been told that mine is an 8.8 factory and that is what spured the question, but as I remember the last time that I was under the car (about two years ago) it does have a removable center section. I am going to have to look for a ranger now. What years of rangers should I be looking at?

RES

If I do take the route of switching to the ranger shafts will I have the same bolt patter on the back as I have on the front with stock suspension parts? Also, what are the chance of me being able to steal the front brakes and such to fit them fairly easily on my '69? I'm a cheap guy on a serious budget that loves junk yard finds.

andrewmp6

Kinda hard to have a 8.8 in the 60s when ford didn't start making them tell the mid 80s.The 69 mustang had 3 different rear ends 7.5 4 lug for the inline6 the 8 inch 5 lug for the small block and the 9 inch for the big block.

REAVER117

If you can get under the rear there should be a tag on the underside of the housing, that'll tell you which rear you have and the gearing. Or you can check this website for other ways to identify the rear visually:
http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm
Although if there is a hump on the back of the housing it's a good chance that it's a 9".

RES

I know that the rears are not the same, but I am looking for the easiest and cheapest way to put the '89 rear end under the '69 and retain the same bolt pattern as on the front.