Need new rear end please

[Jglisson]

Hey everyone. New to this board...great place by the way. I am looking for a rear end for my 99 GT. It took a dump on me (no pun intended). If any of you guys have any suggestions please let me know. Thanks all...

Ford wants around $1700...and that kinda hurts.

Jglisso@aol.com

[mustangII460]

Used rear ends sell for $500 here.

Not trying to be a smarta$$, but how about filling in your location?

[Jglisson]

USA - Jacksonville, FL.

I haven't tried the junkyard route. Being that FORD isn't exactly known for making great rear ends or trannies anyway...I am a bit reluctant to go pull one from some junker that may be in just as bad of shape as mine.

[grey88gt]

Did you forget about the good ol 9inch?

[Jglisson]

No...but will that work? I need to do something.

[mustangII460]

We are a group of Mustang and related Ford nutz. Stating that Ford doesn't make good transmissions or rears is simply hogwash.

Too many factors go into why a given part fails, thats life.

I don't know why you bought a Ford knowing this.

Please don't take this as a bashing.

[andy669]

What went wrong that requires you to replace the entire rearend?

Andy

[KiltedBanshees93GT]

Originally Posted by andy669

What went wrong that requires you to replace the entire rearend?

Andy

Beat me to it...

[Mr 5 0]

Needing a complete rear - on a '99 - seems excessive and is very rare.

There are various parts and assemblies to the rear; from bearings to hubs to axles to gears plus many smaller parts. Most can be replaced separately and that does not require a complete rear assembly. Perhaps you can tell us specificially what part failed. Broken axle? Traction-Lok shot?

Whatever it is, it may well be possible to have the individual part replaced and save some money in the process. Unless the casing is cracked or seriously damaged you shouldn't need to replace the entire assembly. A bit more specific information can help us help you.

[Jglisson]

Wheel bearing on the left side started it all. Previous owners drove it too long and ignored the noise. Lash is way out of spec in the chunk. Everything is pretty loose and worn out.

[Jglisson]

Frank - Ford makes crap rear ends. Ford nut or not...that is reality. Dodge can't make a transmission or ball joints and BMW can't keep electrics working either. Just pointing out the obvious.

[Fat0eknee]

ford made the best rear end that ever was. even chevy guys envy the 9" rear end

..and to fix your problem i think summit sells rebuilt kits for a fair price along with various differentials you can buy - take those somewhere and have them put it in for you ...might as well upgrade the ring and pinion while they are at it

so what ..rebuild kit is 50-100 bucks
the ford differentials off summit range from 260-500
and ring and pinion will run you ... what 125-175
add labor and you are under 1k for a rebuild

[65Sleeper]

Hey there, I'm pretty new here too, but I can't help but notice you don't seem to do much research about for rear ends or trannys. I assume you were unaware that the original C-4 is considered even today to be one of the strongest automatic transmission, hense it's use in many race application, the Borg Warner T-5 is a little flimsy I'll give you, you however have a T-45 your car, which has basically replaced the T-5 as fords most common work horse, and while the recommended torq rating isn't exactly staggering at a rather low 330 ftlbs. I personally know several guys who are pushing almost 400 horses through them, and as long as you know how to launch a car, and don't just dump the clutch to show off for your friends, both the tranny and the stock 8.8 have held up for almost 80k miles.
And I assume you know what they say about drag cars,
"Behind every fast Chevy is a ford 9 inch."
I'm really more of a classic ford guy, but let me bring forth the old 8 inch anyway, not the 8.8 but the "little brother" to the 9 inch, I consider this to be the second strongest rear end ford ever built, and I think it can easily hold it's own against a chevy 12 bolt (which is their strongest rear-end)
I'm not looking to flame you at all, just trying to educate
Also if you are interested in a ford 9 inch, you can find them in just about any junk yard anywhere, because they are used often in alot of fords heavy duty applications, or you can replace your 8.8 and buy a ford racing differental cover, I know it sounds like just a cosmetic part, but it does actually reinforce the structural integrity of your rear end and keep it from getting torn apart.
It's very important to find out what the 9 inch came out of if you go the junk yard route. Trucks are going to have very different rear gearing then a mustang and I don't think you'd be happy with it.
I would almost suggest going with a new rear end just so you can choose gearing yourself. (I personally would go with a 3.73 or even 3.97 set up, depending on what you have for an over drive)
Good luck and let us know how things turn out.