Rearend upgrade?

[Stang_232]

Hey guys, i want to know if its diffucult to upgrade the 7.5" rear with a GT 8.8 the rearend im going to buy has 3.73 FRPP gears with the axles and 5 lug conversion. I'm asumming that it has a conversion b/c its a Fox body rear. It's new in the box never been used. it also has drum brakes but i should be abel to convert my rear disc to it right? Im buying it for $100 and i think it too good to pass up. Anyone know if the axles and driveshaft r same lenght as a 99-04 V6? TY

 

[wesl56]

great deal... it will just bolt right up... very simple... just pull your stock brakes off and put them on the new rear... may need the axles too i duno for sure

 

[97sally6]

the 94-98 rear end is wider than the fox rear, and the 99-04 is wider than the 94-98. moral of the story: measure twice, install once. if it has the drums, it might still have the 4 lug axles. any way to check before purchase?

 

[Stang_232]

I work with the guy and he said it has the 5 lug conversion with the axles but it does have rear drums. He told me i could just pull of my stock rear disc and it will bolt on the new axle. My only problem is i dont know if the rear axles will work (aka long enough) or if i can use my stock rear axles from my v6?

 

[97sally6]

your axles will be long enough. the problem you might run into is that they might be too long. measure everything. you could also look online for factory specs on each

 

[JSA96]

your axles will be long enough. the problem you might run into is that they might be too long.

This has been the problem for others. They put the 99+ axles into a fox housing, and they have issues with leaks at the axle seals. The axles will fit, but they will leak also.

Also you will run into the 12 vs 14mm headed bolt issue with the axle bushing.

 

[cobra232]

why swap to the 8.8?? even though the 8.8 fox rear is cheap you will have spent just as much or most likely more than just beefing up the 7.5

you cannot just bolt your discs on and calipers. you will have to cut the ends of the axletubes off and mount your V6 ends. too much bother

the only weak spot in the 7.5 is the Ford differentials. stock open or T-lok. both are weak as hell and the same is true for the 8.8

install a Detroit truetrac,TA girdle and 3.73's and you will never hurt the 7.5, plus it's about 40lbs lighter than the 8.8 which is all unsprung or dead weight that only hurts performancev in the case of adding the 8.8

 

[jconibear]

cobra232 is exactly right, do not use the fox rear end! it is three inches shorter, the v6 axles wont work because the axles will stick out to far and wont be on the hardened part for the axles. then besides buying fox axles you'll need spacers so that the wheels don't stick in anyfarther then they aready do. Then for the disc brake conversion you'll need brackets, way to much hassle. I myself had a t-lok with 3.73 but blew the side and spyder gears at the track, so i got the detroit true-trac, axles, and another gear set. now it will handle whatever amounts of power i give it.