Hard To Install 3.55 Gears???

BowTie Eater 5 Liter · 04-30-2001, 11:35 PM

I was wondering how someone would go about instaling 3.55 gears in my stock 8.8". Has anyone Done this themselve with success? i have an autobody shop of tools, & some jack Stands. How hard is it?
does anyone have step-by-step info, or a webpage i could go to?
Thanks

------------------
1988 Mustang GT, T-5
3.08's, No Smog Pump (Shorty Belt), Dumps At The End Of Stock H-Pipe, K&N Air Filter (Stock Air Box), Removed air silendcerMy Stang
My Site (Not Done Yet)

84_GT350 · 05-01-2001, 02:42 AM

It's not too terribly hard from what I know, but it requires special tools to set pinion depth and such. If you can find some good instructions, I say go for it. I know some guys here have done it.

------------------
1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

jimberg · 05-01-2001, 09:20 AM

I just got done doing it. The instructions at corral.net were a big help.

8.8 Solid Axle Gear Install

It's definitely not as difficult as people seem to think it is. One thing that was hard to find is what the pinion depth should actually be. A friend of mine going through the same process had an article that covered that. It's in the June '99 issue of MM&FF called "All Backed Up" on page 92. Ford uses something called the Master Housing Dimension. It's 4.415 for an 8.8" rear. You measure the height of the pinion gear with calipers and then subract that from the MHD. That will give you the correct pinion depth. Start by reusing your original shim. It's a good bet that it will be correct if you stick with Ford gears.

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351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

NO SLO PK · 05-01-2001, 01:54 PM

Believe it or don't, I know three reliable sources that say you can install the FRPP gears without checking depth, backlash, and pattern. These sources say the tolerances of the FRPP gears are really close to the tolerances in the Mustang's rear end. I have watched them install gearsets in this manner with success every time.

------------------
Russ L
'91 LX
Procharger, 3 row intercooler, extrude honed Cobra intake, Mac full Length Headers, 30# inj., 73mm C&L, 75mm tb, E303 cam, 289 rods, ported E7 heads, MSD, T-Rex w/255 lph Walbro, 5 lug conversion, Cobra R wheels, 3.27 gears and Moser Axles.

jimberg · 05-01-2001, 02:51 PM

I think you're right, but I think the very least that should be done is a contact pattern check, just be sure you're not the one in a million.

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351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

dinomite · 05-01-2001, 04:59 PM

Ya, I've heard that people who re-use shims (might be able to get away with same number) with FRPP gears don't have problems. I would say at least check the pattern.

04-30-2001, 11:35 PM	#1
BowTie Eater 5 Liter Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada, The Best Place In The World Posts: 871	Hard To Install 3.55 Gears??? I was wondering how someone would go about instaling 3.55 gears in my stock 8.8". Has anyone Done this themselve with success? i have an autobody shop of tools, & some jack Stands. How hard is it? does anyone have step-by-step info, or a webpage i could go to? Thanks ------------------ 1988 Mustang GT, T-5 3.08's, No Smog Pump (Shorty Belt), Dumps At The End Of Stock H-Pipe, K&N Air Filter (Stock Air Box), Removed air silendcerMy Stang My Site (Not Done Yet)

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05-01-2001, 02:42 AM	#2
84_GT350 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Overland Park, KS, USA Posts: 1,631	It's not too terribly hard from what I know, but it requires special tools to set pinion depth and such. If you can find some good instructions, I say go for it. I know some guys here have done it. ------------------ 1984 1/2 GT350 (#842 Hatchback w/ T-tops), 302HO, Comp cams Xtreme Energy cam, Carter 625cfm carb, Weiand Stealth intake, MSD distributor, MSD coil, FMS 9mm wires, 1 5/8" MAC unequal shorties, 2 1/2" MAC Prochamber H-pipe, Flowmaster 2 chambers, KYBs, 16"x8" 4 lug Cobra Rs, Falken 245/45ZR16s

05-01-2001, 09:20 AM	#3
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	I just got done doing it. The instructions at corral.net were a big help. 8.8 Solid Axle Gear Install It's definitely not as difficult as people seem to think it is. One thing that was hard to find is what the pinion depth should actually be. A friend of mine going through the same process had an article that covered that. It's in the June '99 issue of MM&FF called "All Backed Up" on page 92. Ford uses something called the Master Housing Dimension. It's 4.415 for an 8.8" rear. You measure the height of the pinion gear with calipers and then subract that from the MHD. That will give you the correct pinion depth. Start by reusing your original shim. It's a good bet that it will be correct if you stick with Ford gears. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

05-01-2001, 01:54 PM	#4
NO SLO PK Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Arcadia, CA, USA Posts: 731	Believe it or don't, I know three reliable sources that say you can install the FRPP gears without checking depth, backlash, and pattern. These sources say the tolerances of the FRPP gears are really close to the tolerances in the Mustang's rear end. I have watched them install gearsets in this manner with success every time. ------------------ Russ L '91 LX Procharger, 3 row intercooler, extrude honed Cobra intake, Mac full Length Headers, 30# inj., 73mm C&L, 75mm tb, E303 cam, 289 rods, ported E7 heads, MSD, T-Rex w/255 lph Walbro, 5 lug conversion, Cobra R wheels, 3.27 gears and Moser Axles.

05-01-2001, 02:51 PM	#5
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	I think you're right, but I think the very least that should be done is a contact pattern check, just be sure you're not the one in a million. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

05-01-2001, 04:59 PM	#6
dinomite The Dude Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,262	Ya, I've heard that people who re-use shims (might be able to get away with same number) with FRPP gears don't have problems. I would say at least check the pattern.