I didn't take any pics but anyway I picked up a 8.8 from an 88' 5.0 for $65 it had 2.73 gears but was in good shape, then I picked up some used 3.55 gears for $45. What I did was cut the axle tubes off of both rearends(my 7.5 & the 8.8) & put the 7.5 tubes on the 8.8 by using a sleeve that I made at work. I made the sleeve so that the 7.5 tubes were a good press fit in one end & what was left off the tubes on the 8.8 housing(2" of tube left on the 8.8 housing)were a press fit on the other then welded together. A torque arm bracket was made using 1"OD & .75"ID tubing & steel plates. There is a company selling these for $1600 if you can find it on the web somewhere which is basicly what I've done. I've took it to the track and it's held up to a couple 1.5 60fts. Just gonna let you guys know that it's not that bad if you can do alittle custom fabbing. Later.

 

would you be intrested in selling these brackets?

I am more than intrested in purchasing them from you

 

Nice work want to sell it cheap

 

my thoughts exactly, If I can just weld some stainles steel tubes to our OEM LCAs. Or any other solid metal and then painted black... I think it would save me some dollars rather than buying the OTC replacements. same for the panhard rod.

Ofcourse it only makes sense if I already own or work at a place with the welding tools.


Marvin

 

Great work
Got any pics?


Thx,
Claude

 

Nice..

 

Not sure if I understand, did you use a Ford 8.8 out of a Mustang?
If yes then, length of axles are the same? redrill bolt pattern (stang is 4 lug). Stock axle tubes are pressed in with only 2-4 spot welds on them. We have replaced tubes before on 12 bolt housings and once on a 8.8 Ford. Once you cut the welds, the tubes can come out with a little presvasion. Just never thought 8.8 can work. Please let us know as 8.8's are easily availabe. thanks Andel

 

Sorry but no pics right now. Right now I won't be selling anything because I just don't have the time to mess with it. But any machine shop can make the needed sleeve(I made mine in about two hours)fairly cheap & there is really nothing to the torque arm bracket either(2 peices of tubing welded togther on the correct spread with steel plating).

 

Andel, yes it was a mustang 8.8. I do not know if the axles are the same length as it did not matter because the stock 7.5 gm axles are the same size & spline as the ford so they go right in the 8.8 carrier. As for getting the tubes out of the 8.8 housing wouldn't have helped me because the ford tubes were roughly .100" bigger than the gm tubes anyway.

 

Man I love this place. This changes everything, amazing that the axles pop right in. I had a 70 9" out of Mustang that bolted right down to my stock leafsprings on my Camaro. I guess ford did something right for us Chevy guys. I will go to a 31 spline posi and get moser axles with the chevy bolt pattern if it all works. the axles are only about 228 on average. A 8.8 runs about 100-150 here. This should save me alot of money. I dont imagine the stock driveshaft bolted up did it

 

sweet94z, you would make bank if you actually marketed this

 

That is a great idea. If you get the time, you should do a write up so us less mechanically inclined can fabricate it. I have an uncle that owns a machine shop too but I myself have just an inkling of what you just talked about. lol.

 

Did you retain the ABS? If so how?

Also I would be intrested to see how you attached the TQ arm brackets. I didnt think it was possible to weld steel to cast iron...

Thanks

 

a writeup on this would be GREAT and you could easily be elevated to fbody god status

 

Very cool! I was so close to buying an 8.8 for $1800, but now that I see this I am definatly giving this a try.
If you could give a little more info on the torque arm bracket that would help alot.

Thanks,
Kevin