Hey everyone been a member for years now, just never post i usually find what i need with the handy search button but this time i have a couple questions

well long story short the rear end is shot
orignal 8" with 2.79 gears
question 1 - is that a weird gear ratio? i havent really ever heard much about it and i cant find a replacement anything etc, just wondering

well since its done im giving myself a cheap excuse to finally upgrade
questions i have are should i go 8.8 or 9"?
i know the 9 is the most durable gonna take a beating rear end i can get
but the 8.8 is lighter and since there is no serious horsepower ( stock 302 ) i figured and 8.8 would be great

which one would be easier to install?
what vehicles should i be keeping an eye on ? ( would rather have drum brakes but would settle for discs )
is the length from hub to hub the same on these?
how much will i have to shorten the driveshaft?

i know i could probaly find some of these answers in search but i really wanted to know about the 2.79 gears so i just thought i would add those in haha

thoughts?

 

Either is just as strong. Most of the time rear ends fail because they're set up improperly or abused. 2.79 was pretty standard on older cars with no overdrive trans.

As far as easier, eh, 6 and one half dozen or the other. 9 is easier to get parts for though, and a lot more options.

 

ok on the 9 how much shorter would the driveshaft need to be?
and what vehicles do i need to keep an eye?

 

Nope that was the standard Ford Mustang 8" gears.. 2.79. Whats 'shot' on the rear? You could always keep the 8" housing and upgrade to a newer Eaton Detroit Locker for the stock 28 spline axles.

 

Driveshaft length isn't known until you have the rearend in place. then you measure.

 

ok yea i should have figured that haha
well i thought about the locker and changing the ring a pinion but for the price i could get a used 9

 

and plus my neighbor just said he would give a 9" diff w/ 3.50 bc its just laying around

 

There are 9" rear ends all over the place. Few of them fit our cars and it is too expensive to make them work. If your friends 9" is complete and the correct width then I'd say you lucked out. If your power does not require a stronger rear end, you will actually lose performance. The 9" is heavier and has more spinning mass. Not a lot, but it is more.

Basically, go with what is cheapest for you in the long run.

 

honestly would it be cheaper to find a used 8" diff and just install it?
i have no plans of going over 300 hp

 

If you never plan to go above 300 HP the 9" is just extra weight and drag to carry around.

You could get the Detroit tru track LSD in 8" with 3:00 gears and go about your business if a limited slip was something you think you might like. I run one I think its great.

-Gun