1965 Mustang Rearend Advice

[sinisterstang65]

I currently am running a 8.8 w/ 3.55 gears in my 65 stang with a 351W, and someone mentioned that you could put a cobra IRS rearend in a 65, but being 4 inches longer than the overall housing length, you would have to have alot bigger flange for it to clear? Is that a bunch of nonsense or is it possible? If no other choice, we might buy a 8.8 out of a explorer, but what years will work, and also what years of a versailles will work as well???

Heres the IRS rear for sale....Cobra IRS with 4.10 gears

 

[tx65coupe]

I'm running a 78 Versailles in mine and it fits great. The Versailles was only made from 77-80 I think. All the Versailles are the same. You can also get the same rear end out of some Granadas.

I don't see how the IRS setup would work if its that much wider. Personally I wouldn't want it anyway.

 

[kttrucks]

That IRS is going to give you a 63 inch track width..... measure what's there and compare.... I bet you'll talk yourself out of it pretty quick... not to mention the suspension mounting points that you'll have to make... this is major surgery, and you're better off going with an IRS thats made for an early Mustang... I think Heidts has one...

Same advice on the explorer axel, they're wider but come with limited slip and disc brakes after 1997.

K.

 

[Cobra ssc]

If you already have a 8.8 in the car, it is not even worth switching to a 9 inch. The 8.8 is plenty strong enough, uses less horsepower, and still has many options/upgrades that can enhance it.

 

[rdmcalli]

A few guys have put Cobra IRS in early Mustangs and Mercurys as seen here & here. The problem is that 65-66 cars will need the quarters flared a lot!

I know up to 2001 the Explorer solid axle is ~59.5", but I do not know about the Explorer 2002 and up IRS. Have you made any progress with the Explorer IRS?

 

[danny clemens]

The 57 thru 59 Ford car 9" is a good fit also.