Is it true! An 8.8 swap in my 64 1/2?

Black-Sunshine · 05-05-2001, 06:39 PM

I desperately need a rear end upgrade and to my delight I recently learned that an 8.8 out of a late model Explorer would fit nicely disk brakes and all. This is the first I heard such a thing so im not positive its true. Can anyone confirm this story? If so what year Explorers and what mods are needed?

Fostang · 05-05-2001, 09:39 PM

From what I know is that nope it won't fit. Too wide. If you had a 67' or newer. I was about to put an 8.8 on my 67' and I remember an older gent. who owns a mustang parts store telling me.

------------------
67'fastback-Edelbrock carb,intake,cam,valve springs.Rhode lifters, CompCam rocker arms, windage tray,cerama coated headers,dual flows with H-pipe, modded c-4,tci stall converter,perma cool electric fan,aluminum water pump,griffen aluminum radiator,accel 8.8 cable,wide cap distriburator,magnetic pick up,v-matic hurst shifter,edelbrock performer nitrous, carter electric fuel pump,ignitor coil,solid motor mounts,magna racing suspension,poly urathane bushings,under rider traction bars, comp. eng. s

Dark Knight · 05-06-2001, 02:50 AM

why not use a 9in? stronger than an 8.8... but the 8in is really pretty strong... if you dont run slicks, it should work fine...

------------------
84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer
3.55's, underdrives stock shorties
stock cam, 1.7's
14.06@100.21, 255RWHP on a hot day
265 on the mph/weight chart

amartin725 · 05-06-2001, 06:27 PM

There is a web site around showing someone putting an '87 Explorer 8.8 rear into a '66. You have to create and weld in your own spring perches, and do some drive shaft customizing.

Why bother though? I grabbed an 8" rear drum to drum for less than $100. 8" are everywhere. If you have tons of HP, go for a 9", the 8.8 is actually larger in the center chunk.

Al

------------------

[This message has been edited by amartin725 (edited 05-06-2001).]

Black-Sunshine · 05-06-2001, 08:05 PM

Well never mind. I just got back from the Long Beach swap meet and guess whats sitting in my trunk? I picked up a rebuilt 8" with 3.55 gears. Only problem is that it has been sitting on a shelf for 15 years. I will slap it in tuesday and see if it was worth the $150 I paid for it. No its not a posi but 3.55 sure beets the hell out of the 2.80 I have been running.

Dark Knight · 05-07-2001, 01:34 AM

FWIW, you can buy gears for an 8in... I had 4.63's in mine.. ;-)

------------------
84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer
3.55's, underdrives stock shorties
stock cam, 1.7's
14.06@100.21, 255RWHP on a hot day
265 on the mph/weight chart

amartin725 · 05-08-2001, 10:43 AM

Here's the site that put an Explorer rear in a '66
http://hammer.prohosting.com/~66boss/

Al

------------------

Black-Sunshine · 05-12-2001, 09:57 PM

Finally its done! Im not sure I got the greatest of deals ($290 parts/laber) but as of today I have what appears, and drives like, a brand new 3.55 open reared and its by far the greatest improvement I have made to date. One problem though... my speedo is now 17 mph fast and my gas gage seems to be broken it goes to "E" every 50 miles

05-05-2001, 06:39 PM	#1
Black-Sunshine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Laguna Niguel Ca Posts: 46	Is it true! An 8.8 swap in my 64 1/2? I desperately need a rear end upgrade and to my delight I recently learned that an 8.8 out of a late model Explorer would fit nicely disk brakes and all. This is the first I heard such a thing so im not positive its true. Can anyone confirm this story? If so what year Explorers and what mods are needed?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
429/460 swap	429mustang	Blue Oval Lounge	3	02-29-2008 02:43 PM
Cobra Engine Swap...Ways to improve my 98 GT...	xtrememach1racer	Modular Madness	3	10-31-2002 11:23 AM
Question about FFW, True Street, Admission?	grey92lx	Windsor Power	0	09-29-2001 09:53 PM
Rearend swap	H'YAMULE	Classic Mustangs	0	02-19-2001 09:48 AM
2.3 turbo swap	frankiebonzz	Small Ponies	0	06-01-2000 07:44 PM

05-05-2001, 09:39 PM	#2
Fostang Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Stockton, Ca Posts: 599	From what I know is that nope it won't fit. Too wide. If you had a 67' or newer. I was about to put an 8.8 on my 67' and I remember an older gent. who owns a mustang parts store telling me. ------------------ 67'fastback-Edelbrock carb,intake,cam,valve springs.Rhode lifters, CompCam rocker arms, windage tray,cerama coated headers,dual flows with H-pipe, modded c-4,tci stall converter,perma cool electric fan,aluminum water pump,griffen aluminum radiator,accel 8.8 cable,wide cap distriburator,magnetic pick up,v-matic hurst shifter,edelbrock performer nitrous, carter electric fuel pump,ignitor coil,solid motor mounts,magna racing suspension,poly urathane bushings,under rider traction bars, comp. eng. s

05-06-2001, 02:50 AM	#3
Dark Knight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Az Posts: 854	why not use a 9in? stronger than an 8.8... but the 8in is really pretty strong... if you dont run slicks, it should work fine... ------------------ 84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer 3.55's, underdrives stock shorties stock cam, 1.7's 14.06@100.21, 255RWHP on a hot day 265 on the mph/weight chart

05-06-2001, 06:27 PM	#4
amartin725 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 46	There is a web site around showing someone putting an '87 Explorer 8.8 rear into a '66. You have to create and weld in your own spring perches, and do some drive shaft customizing. Why bother though? I grabbed an 8" rear drum to drum for less than $100. 8" are everywhere. If you have tons of HP, go for a 9", the 8.8 is actually larger in the center chunk. Al ------------------ [This message has been edited by amartin725 (edited 05-06-2001).]

05-06-2001, 08:05 PM	#5
Black-Sunshine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Laguna Niguel Ca Posts: 46	Well never mind. I just got back from the Long Beach swap meet and guess whats sitting in my trunk? I picked up a rebuilt 8" with 3.55 gears. Only problem is that it has been sitting on a shelf for 15 years. I will slap it in tuesday and see if it was worth the $150 I paid for it. No its not a posi but 3.55 sure beets the hell out of the 2.80 I have been running.

05-07-2001, 01:34 AM	#6
Dark Knight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Az Posts: 854	FWIW, you can buy gears for an 8in... I had 4.63's in mine.. ;-) ------------------ 84 convt,'95 302,AFR's, performer 3.55's, underdrives stock shorties stock cam, 1.7's 14.06@100.21, 255RWHP on a hot day 265 on the mph/weight chart

05-08-2001, 10:43 AM	#7
amartin725 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 46	Here's the site that put an Explorer rear in a '66 http://hammer.prohosting.com/~66boss/ Al ------------------

05-12-2001, 09:57 PM	#8
Black-Sunshine Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Laguna Niguel Ca Posts: 46	Finally its done! Im not sure I got the greatest of deals ($290 parts/laber) but as of today I have what appears, and drives like, a brand new 3.55 open reared and its by far the greatest improvement I have made to date. One problem though... my speedo is now 17 mph fast and my gas gage seems to be broken it goes to "E" every 50 miles