Your donations help keep this valuable resource free and growing. Thank you.
|
8.8 Ford Rear End |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Author | |
THE MENACE
AMC Addicted Joined: Nov/04/2008 Location: So. California Status: Offline Points: 4438 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: Aug/10/2022 at 3:43pm |
I'm needing some input or your experience with the Ford 8.8 rear end. I'm looking at using one in my Gremlin project and was wondering what would be the best one to start with since there are several different widths of 8.8's.
I do know I want 31 spline axles a limited slip, but would like to know what others have used as far as housings go. I have a chance to pick up an 8.8 out of a Ford Explorer that has 31 spline axles, Posi, 373's, and disc brakes. Right now I'm waiting for the owner to get back to me with the width of the housing so I don't even know if the Explorer housing will work for me. Thanks for the help!! Dennis
|
|
Former Owner of:
The Craig Breedlove "AERO AMX" Still Owner: SS/AMX #9 replica (THE BIG MENACE) 70 AMX 416, EFI, Nash 5 speed 70 Javelin 401, 727 (Wife's car) 72 Gremlin Autocross Project. |
|
tufcj
Supporter of TheAMCForum Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jul/10/2007 Location: Watkins, CO Status: Offline Points: 4097 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I used an Explorer 8.8 rear in my 67 Rambler. The factory pinion is offset about 3" to the right because the Explorer is 4x4. If you get a second short side axle and have the long side housing cut to fit, it brings it down to 56 5/8" wide (stock is 60") and centers the diff. It is quite heavy. I cut a lot of unnecessary cast iron brackets off the pumpkin, and removed the ABS tone ring and plugged the sensor hole. Bob tufcj
|
|
69 AMX
74 Javelin AMX 67 Rogue If you need a tool and don't buy it... you'll eventually pay for it... and not have it. Henry Ford |
|
Javelin_GT
AMC Addicted Joined: Feb/15/2008 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 1068 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Dennis This site is a good resource on the various 8.8 rear ends. Adam |
|
Mopar_guy
Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jun/07/2009 Location: Ohio Status: Offline Points: 4837 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
He's right. It's pretty common to cut 2" or so off of the left side and use another right side axle. You won't break it and there's a ton of aftermarket for it.
Edited by Mopar_guy - Aug/10/2022 at 5:36pm |
|
"Hemilina" My 1973, 5.7 Hemi swapped Javelin |
|
nickleone
AMC Addicted Joined: Oct/04/2008 Location: westminster co Status: Offline Points: 1446 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Dennis,
The difference in axle length short side to long side is closer to 3 inches. At the pull a part yard the 8.8 cost $125 plus $25 for a short side axle. I weld and did it myself. Nick
|
|
nick
401 71 Gremlin pro rally car sold 390 V8 SX/4 pro rally car sold 1962 Classic SW T5 4 wheel disc brakes |
|
Nardo
AMC Apprentice Joined: Dec/21/2010 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 174 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I hope this isn't too much of a side track.
I plan to put an 8.8 in my 69 AMX. Seems like a pretty easy way to get a strong rear end at a reasonable cost. Rear disks are an added plus. I was reading another post about options for installing rear disks. Rustic makes a kit for the AMC OEM rear end. They have a note that says "NOTE: All AMX and some others cannot use parking brake calipers if your axle has torque bars." That got me wondering, can the torque links be made to work with the 8.8?
|
|
Mike
|
|
motorhead_1
AMC Addicted Joined: Apr/16/2014 Location: AZ Status: Offline Points: 1007 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
i used an explorer in my 69 american. cut off both ends and welded on big ford ends and moser axles and wilwood calipers
|
|
69 SC/Rambler tribute 401/th400, 68 Rebel SST LSA, 66 F100 460/c6, 88 Merkur Xr4Ti, 71 Jaguar XJ6 LS1, 08 Supercharged Tundra
|
|
Buzzman72
AMC Addicted Joined: Sep/15/2009 Location: Southern IN Status: Offline Points: 2726 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The "parking brake calipers" reference is to GM style calipers with a parking brake function. On the Explorer rear, the caliper isn't involved in the parking brake function. The Explorer parking brake is cable-operated, just like the stock drum system, and in fact uses shoes inside the rotor, with the inside rotor surface functioning as the parking brake "drum."
|
|
Buzzman72...void where prohibited, your mileage may vary, objects in mirror may be closer than they appear, and alcohol may intensify any side effects.
|
|
Nardo
AMC Apprentice Joined: Dec/21/2010 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 174 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
[/QUOTE] The "parking brake calipers" reference is to GM style calipers with a parking brake function. On the Explorer rear, the caliper isn't involved in the parking brake function. The Explorer parking brake is cable-operated, just like the stock drum system, and in fact uses shoes inside the rotor, with the inside rotor surface functioning as the parking brake "drum." [/QUOTE]
Thanks!
|
|
Mike
|
|
amx2bfast
AMC Apprentice Joined: Aug/07/2013 Location: middlesex nc Status: Offline Points: 217 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I put an 8.8 in my 75 gremlin and did nothing to it other than put new spring hangers on. The driveshaft is off centered to the right side but not that bad.It came out of an explorer. And cut the other brackets off
|
|
1975 gremlin
1973 javelin 1976 pacer wagon |
|
Post Reply | Page 12> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |