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?

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.

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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

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...

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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

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

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

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.

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

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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

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

Al

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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 http://www.mustangworks.com/msgboard/smile.gif