Bent rear axle, swap years?

Discussion in 'Fox 5.0 Mustang' started by tendo, Dec 3, 2004.

  1. tendo New Member

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    Guys I've got a bent rear axle and I need to swap it out. Question is, I've got an 84 and was wondering what years would swap out with it? Any fox body rear axle? Does a particular year have a better setup than another(Gears?)? If I got it from a junkyard how could I make sure its not a p.o.s.?

    Now, don't all fox's have LSD's? Mine does except it must be worn out because it only leaves one tire mark, it has left two but a very short second one then it stoped.

    Thanks
    Kyle
    tendo, Dec 3, 2004
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  2. Mavrick Founding Member

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    If your rear is stock, i believe it's a 7.5" rear end. Pretty sure you could use 4cyl mustang axles, as it is the same diff.

    You should just buy an 8.8 rear and swap it in, if you can afford it.
    Mavrick, Dec 3, 2004
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  3. tjm73 Founding Member

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    Any axle from a FOX ('79-'93) 7.5" or 8.8" will fit. They are all 28 spline. LSD or open diff has no impact on the axle. If you went to a Ford dealer and looked up the part number for an 8.8" axle and a 7.5" axle you would find they have the same part number.

    Also any axle from a 7.5" Ranger rear end (driver side) or the Aerostar 7.5" (passenger side) will work. They are the same.
    tjm73, Dec 3, 2004
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  4. squeeeg Founding Member

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    Now would be a good time to upgrade to the 8.8 rear end. They are stronger but if not and 4 cyl up to 93 has the same axle
    squeeeg, Dec 3, 2004
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  5. NKau Founding Member

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    Are you looking for an axle, or the whole rear end? If you're looking for the whole rear end; any 5.0 mustang rear from '86 on up should be the correct width 8.8 if you are looking to move up from the 7.5
    NKau, Dec 3, 2004
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  6. tendo New Member

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    looking for both as of now.

    EDIT** Previous owner says "it has stock 8.8 with 3.73s in it" I dont believe it but how could I tell?
    tendo, Dec 3, 2004
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  7. Mavrick Founding Member

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    Jack the rear of the car up.. mark the driveshaft and turn the wheel. You should get 3 and 3/4 or so turns of the driveshaft with 1 rotation of the wheel. This will tell you that you have 3:73 gears. If you get 2 and 3/4 turns then you have stock 2:73's.. 3 turns would be stock 3.08 gear.. and so on.

    Someone should be able to pich in and tell you how to tell apart the 8.8 from the 7.5" - remember the 7.5's came stock with 3:73 gears in many applications (4cyl stang, ranger i think etc) so don't base your answer solely on gearing!
    Mavrick, Dec 3, 2004
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