8.8 inch rearend in a 65

[65inworks]

What has to be done to put an 8.8in. rearend in a 1965 coupe, thanks, Nick

 

[rbohm]

either change to a four link fox body style rear suspension, or remove the fox body brackets and weld on leaf spring brackets. either way you are in for some welding. you want an 8.8 from a fairmont, pre-94 mustang, 81 up granada, or and 83-86 ltd(the little one). the rears out of these cars are the right width for your stang.

 

[SandSprite]

either change to a four link fox body style rear suspension, or remove the fox body brackets and weld on leaf spring brackets. either way you are in for some welding. you want an 8.8 from a fairmont, pre-94 mustang, 81 up granada, or and 83-86 ltd(the little one). the rears out of these cars are the right width for your stang.

Pretty sure all the 8.8s out there are a few inches wider than a stock 65 rear. 65-66 rear is 57.25" and the 8.8's are 59"+. I haven't measured too many myself though. Also, the fox mustang ones are 4 lug. The truck/suv rears have offset pinions. I wanted to do the 8.8, but the 9" was so much easier. Plus the 9 is nicer due to the lack of c-clips.

 

[D.Hearne]

Pretty sure all the 8.8s out there are a few inches wider than a stock 65 rear. 65-66 rear is 57.25" and the 8.8's are 59"+. I haven't measured too many myself though. Also, the fox mustang ones are 4 lug. The truck/suv rears have offset pinions. I wanted to do the 8.8, but the 9" was so much easier. Plus the 9 is nicer due to the lack of c-clips.

The same processes are involved in swapping in an 8.8 as it is a 9", just some 8.8's require more changes than others to work. Same as a 9" rear. If you have to narrow it, you can have 9" style bearing/housings installed on the 8.8 to eliminate the "C" clips. The Explorer 8.8 is the most popular due to it's availability and the fact that most had 31 splined axles and Traction-loc.and some even have disc brakes. If you want more, do a search here, this topic has been covered many, many times in the last two years.