Anyone With A 200 I6/t5/8.8 Combo?

LILCBRA

I wish I didn't have all of these balls in the air
15 Year Member
Dec 6, 2005
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Marietta, Ga
Hello all! We recently picked up a 67 coupe for the wife. It has a 200 I6, 3 speed manual currently. This is her project, so I am leaving most all of the decisions to her as to what she wants to do with it. But right now, she is not sure exactly what she wants to do with it. The 6 runs like a champ and from what we were told by the PO, he had the transmission rebuilt and the owner before him had the engine rebuilt. I haven't really found a reason to discredit what he has told us and, like I said, it runs like a top! But, what I know that she wants to do for certain is upgrade the brake system (currently 4 wheel manual drums) and convert to 5 lug so she can have a greater selection of wheels to fit. In my research, I found a front disc brake kit that we will probably go with sometime after the New Year and I have found multiple forum posts all over the internet documenting the Explorer 8.8 swap, which is more than likely the route we will go. Where she is not really sure what she wants to do is whether she wants to swap the I6 for a V8 since it runs great. That brings me here with this post: who all has done anything resembling this kind of swap? I have found one video on Youtube of a 69 I6/T5 and that video looks like it really woke up the little 6 and made it more driveable, especially at freeway speeds. I guess what I am getting at is has anyone swapped the T5 with the same gearing as one of the Explorer rears (something like 3.73s?) behind their 6 and have a video you can share? It would be much appreciated! Thanks!!

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Seems like to me it would be easier to install an old 8 inch rear end (since it came with V8s).67 and later diff. sections have more webbing. They came with 5lug axles as well. I agree that the T5 would make a noticible difference.

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Oh yeah, without a doubt an 8 inch from a V8 car would be easier to install, and we would readily go that route if one were easily available! The big question mark is can I find one locally? On the other hand, I can get the 8.8 locally. I already checked the local Pull a Part's online system and they have a number of Explorers, so locating the 8.8 should be a snap. And their local price including core is about $162 for a disc brake rear, less for a drum rear. Relocating/welding spring perches is no big deal for me. So it just seems that the 8.8 is the direction to go for us....