Ford 8.8 rear end

[notnilc20]

So im thinking of doing this swap in my 86.....but i have a few questions that i couldn't find when I searched. Please don't post a link to that thread about the 8.8 swap from before. Because i read all about it but my question is this. If i was to get a rear end out of a Mustang gt with disk brakes, could i just use those brakes and hub and everything? What are the draw backs? Will it be too heavy for my little bluetop?

[Deuce Cam]

You'll have to transfer all the suspension pick up points (brackets) from the gts axle. I imagine it's longer than the ae86 axle so the wheels will stick out farther. It will be very heavy for 100 hp/tq, and will also probably affect the suspension/handling because of the extra weight; I assume stiffer link bushings and larger sway bar would be a must.

[jinx]

unless your bluetop is somehow putting out upwards of 400 ft-lbs of torque, an 8.8 makes as much sense as bolting on a matching 40 pound flywheel, while u at it. Drawback : overkill

[notnilc20]

Well.....i can't find a gts rear end and the mk1 celica/supra is also on the unicorn list now.......what are some other alternatives to use if one wanted to have disc brakes and limited slip? The only common one I've seen is the ford 8.8. You say the drawback is overkill but will it affect the drivability so much to make it undrivable? Thanks.

Another reason i like it is because you can shorten an explorers rear end to 56.5" by only shortening the passenger side i believe. Because the pumpkin is offset.....so you shortness the longer side to center the pumpkin then you get another short axle from another donor explorer and it ends up being 56.5 from brakes to brakes......the sr5 rear end is approx 55" so they are close.

[Deuce Cam]

The first gen rx7 gsl axle is 7.1 (I think) with disc and lsd. Finding one might be harder than a gts axle though.

I'm sure the 8.8 would work, but just keep in mind the extra rotational and unsprung weight. Fwiw even a mk1 supra axle is too big for any n/a 4age, imo.

Do you need something to get you on the road, or do you already have all the parts to install the sr5 rear?

[notnilc20]

The first gen rx7 gsl axle is 7.1 (I think) with disc and lsd. Finding one might be harder than a gts axle though.

I'm sure the 8.8 would work, but just keep in mind the extra rotational and unsprung weight. Fwiw even a mk1 supra axle is too big for any n/a 4age, imo.

Do you need something to get you on the road, or do you already have all the parts to install the sr5 rear?

I have the SR5 rear end but I will need to rebuild both drum brakes. Plus I need an SR5 driveshaft and e brake cables. So I will need to invest more money into that set-up. Or I can use that money to invest in a better rear end in case I decide to upgrade the power in this car in the future. What would you do? If the 8.8 works and won't kill my poor lil blue top and mpg....then i'd like to go that way....even though it will be quite the project. But either way i take, it will be quite a project.

There is a member here that was supposed to sell me a lot of parts one being a gts rear end. But he only took my deposit and now he won't return my messages. So that looks like it is leading to a dead end.

[jinx]

classifieds have the heaviest traffic. Did u scout for a GTS diff ?

I'd post the user name with a warning there, then reveal the transaction details if he doesn't respond.
Expose the pos..... to at least reduce the chance of these maggots burning other members. Hope u get ur money back

not all gts diff r lsd. Aftermarket is costly

Best to decide what power u 'think'(or hope) u may be content with
A boosted 4age is night & day vs a puny bluetop... then all that $$$ invested in a 4.3:1 gts rear becomes a waste, pretty much
Substantial increase in tq command much less gear, 3.7:1 or so with same tire diameter
my 3.73:1 toyota truck (~92) 7.5 rear was close in width and not much heavier. $100
Gears and reasonable price lsd(from truck venders) available. MK II supra and is300 lsd works too iirc (search)
Tons of dirt cheap rear disc litter junkyards(stick to popular cars). I think I used free mitsubishi eclipse calips + rotors.
I cut off the steel caliper bracket & grabbed cables too - a mini project, alongside the diff swap

[notnilc20]

Thanks jinx.....yeah....i thought about exposing him but wanted to see if he'll come clean first. I've filed a dispute with paypal so hopefully i can get my money back that way. I will give him a few more days to make good. If he doesn't i'll expose him.

Thanks for the good info......i guess I'm going to visit the salvage yard tomorrow to see what might make a good donor.

[notnilc20]

Ok so im back from the salvage yard and i found the late 90's early 2000's Chevy Blazers to have a rear end that is 54.5" and disc brakes. Plus some are available with limited slip. it is an 8.5" rear end. I'm kinda liking this over the ford 8.8 because no modification to the axle housing lengths are needed. What do you guys think?

[jinx]

8.5 still too heavy. It's only a bluetop. Finding a 4.1 - 4.3 ratio may b tough
Older s10 rears r smaller/lighter, close to same width. Should be able to find aftermarket lsd.
Gearing, same deal. The one I have was like 3.3:1(fine for a turbo 4)

As mentioned, custom(but cheap) disk brake conversion is less of a hassle than transferring your rolla brackets
I prefer the lighter design, without the internal drum handbrake. Imports have small neat lightwt

Volvo diffs common abroad. Long threads on forums. Some info I saved long ago

1970-91 Volvo same diff, 2 different hemispheres; split at 3.7 can get in either... but a 4.1 won't fit a 3.01 housing.
width= 1400mm ( compared to 1370 stock RA28), narrower than the common hilux(pickup) and ae86 1410mm oe diff.
bloody thick axles compared to the standard celica 6.7" T series. twin piston calipers/ internal drum handbrake.
dana 30 diff (same as front end of jeep) so various aftermarket centres available.
It's a 7" diff, 15kg heavier than the oe toyota 6.7. plate on the snout tells ratio
Type 1030 - 3.54:1, 3.73:1, 3.93:1, 4.10:1 or 4.30:1
Type 1031 - 3.15:1, 3.31:1, 3.54:1, 3.73:1 or 3.91:1

[notnilc20]

8.5 still too heavy. It's only a bluetop. Finding a 4.1 - 4.3 ratio may b tough
Older s10 rears r smaller/lighter, close to same width. Should be able to find aftermarket lsd.
Gearing, same deal. The one I have was like 3.3:1(fine for a turbo 4)

As mentioned, custom(but cheap) disk brake conversion is less of a hassle than transferring your rolla brackets
I prefer the lighter design, without the internal drum handbrake. Imports have small neat lightwt

Volvo diffs common abroad. Long threads on forums. Some info I saved long ago

1970-91 Volvo same diff, 2 different hemispheres; split at 3.7 can get in either... but a 4.1 won't fit a 3.01 housing.
width= 1400mm ( compared to 1370 stock RA28), narrower than the common hilux(pickup) and ae86 1410mm oe diff.
bloody thick axles compared to the standard celica 6.7" T series. twin piston calipers/ internal drum handbrake.
dana 30 diff (same as front end of jeep) so various aftermarket centres available.
It's a 7" diff, 15kg heavier than the oe toyota 6.7. plate on the snout tells ratio
Type 1030 - 3.54:1, 3.73:1, 3.93:1, 4.10:1 or 4.30:1
Type 1031 - 3.15:1, 3.31:1, 3.54:1, 3.73:1 or 3.91:1

Ok....so you are talking about the 7.5 rear end from an s10? I looked at this too because the length is comparable as you said but it too has drum brakes. Maybe it's better for me to get this 7.5 rearend and do a disc brake conversion? From what I'm reading online i can get the brakes off a blazer and to fit them to the s10 rear end. Also i would like to have lower geared rear end if possible.....like 3.73 as i do a lot of highway driving.

Plus open diff is fine too....i prefer lsd but i dont think they had lsd in the 7.5 rear end and like you said, jinx, i could always upgrade to lsd later.

So.....final verdict......7.5 rear end with drums from a s10. Then upgrade brakes to disc from a chevy blazer.

What do you think? Deuce and jinx like always....Thanks again for you guys help.