8.8 swaps - who's done them

[64nailhead]

Tomeal What size tire and what's the gear ratio?

 

[Tomeal]

Tomeal What size tire and what's the gear ratio?

Ratio is 3.27. Haven't made a final decision on tire size yet. Want at least 16" rim. Don't want to wonder to far from stock diameter tire. Will look an see what selection is available when I decide.

The crown Vic temps I picked up, two are 26.5" tire and the other two are 27.6 tire.

I figured I can try them, then decide. My boy has an 04 ranger. I can use them as a spare time for him if I don't use them.

 

[64nailhead]

Ratio is 3.27. Haven't made a final decision on tire size yet. Want at least 16" rim. Don't want to wonder to far from stock diameter tire. Will look an see what selection is available when I decide.

The crown Vic temps I picked up, two are 26.5" tire and the other two are 27.6 tire.

I figured I can try them, then decide. My boy has an 04 ranger. I can use them as a spare time for him if I don't use them.

That will work great with the 6L90 - lots of overdrive 😉

 

[81cutlass]

But you're damn talented, so this might not apply

I agree with DSPbuilt for a street car at a mild level. The Trac lok works, especially if an extra clutch and steel is inserted. You damn stick guys though, geesh, you're hard on an *ss, I mean rear 😉

 

[Hurricane77]

Pull out the chunk (carrier/ring gear assembly) and remove the ring gear - plan on putting in new ring gear bolts, but they are cheap. Then pull out the 'S' spring , pull out the side gears and then the clutches. Also a good time to see what carrier bearings look like. If the carrier bearings are sh*t, then you should plan on a full bearing kit. But if they are fine then the pinion inner and outer bearings will most definitely be fine as well. The carrier bearings generally get in poor condition before the pinion bearings do.


Or......................you can say the heck will of all that and just run it. If it one wheel peels, then you'll know you need clutches. It really depends on how you intend to use it and how anal retentive you are about having everything perfect. For 300-500 crank HP it's most likely going to be fine.

I can't speak to Mustang rears, but Exploders' had a recall about chattering that was caused by excessive wear on the clutches. The warranty repair was put in an additional container of limited slip modifier. Most of the time that resolved the chatter. But if yours has been 'chattering' for a bit, then the clutches and steels will be whipped. No way to tell that without either pulling it apart or running it.

If you intend to maintain street driver status, then run it and see what happens with the idea that C-clips differentials can be removed in an hour. But if you plan to put the wood to this thing with a sticky tire regularly, then pull it apart.

You can also check the clutch packs by raising up one wheel and turning the other. Should take at least 20 ft lb to turn the raised wheel.

If you want a tighter LSD with a little less slip, you can always switch up the clutch packs a bit. Each side has 4 steel plates and 3 friction plates. Get two sets of clutch packs and run 4 friction and 3 steel. It's popular with the offroad guys who use the LSD instead of a full locker.

And that Ford friction modifier stuff? You think gear oil smells bad? That friction modifier is ten times worse

 

[Tomeal]

Showed up Friday afternoon. Had to replace one bolt and nut cause the threads weren't right. May change it out when I track down the proper tap and die to clean the threads up.

Had to wait til Saturday afternoon for the brake stuff to get here.

Going to get two tires taken off the rims so I can use them to roll the rear back under.

Got most everything ready to go to install it. Just need to clean the rear to get ready to paint it.

 

[Cauterize]

View attachment 200716

Showed up Friday afternoon. Had to replace one bolt and nut cause the threads weren't right. May change it out when I track down the proper tap and die to clean the threads up.

Had to wait til Saturday afternoon for the brake stuff to get here.

Going to get two tires taken off the rims so I can use them to roll the rear back under.

Got most everything ready to go to install it. Just need to clean the rear to get ready to paint it.

Right on! Keep us updated. This is my next parts purchase Once I get my 3.73's installed into my 8.8 Ill be ready to pull the trigger on this kit.

 

[Tomeal]

Working on putting the rear in. Have a question on adjusting the upper and lower control arms.

Correct me if I'm wrong. Lower control arm is use to center the wheel in the opening and upper control arm is to set pinion angle. Left/right adjustment is done by tightening or loosening one side and doing the opposite to the other side.

My wheels are sitting to far rearward in the opening.

 

[Tomeal]

Was measuring and double checking. I think the lower control arms they sent are t long. My wheelbase is two inches too long. The arms they sent are 21.5" long. If I had around a 18.5" arm I would be able to adjust into range. I think that would also bring my pinion angle and upper arms into spec.

Messaged the company. They are out for the weekend. Should find out this week.

 

[Tomeal]

Just got off the phone with Trick Chassis. Props to their customer service! They did ship the wrong ones. They are going to ship the correct ones today and give me a return slip for the incorrect ones. Guy on the phone was super pleasant and understanding.

I really couldn't ask for more!

Now hopefully they show up for the long weekend so I can get this thing together and back on the ground.