Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: vinnietbird on July 07, 2007, 10:43:27 AM

Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: vinnietbird on July 07, 2007, 10:43:27 AM
Can the 10 inch brakes (complete assembly) from my Thunderbird 7.5  be swapped onto my 8.8 Stang rear?i'm going to swap in my T-Bird axle shafts and brakes to keep my wheels where they need to be under my car.I wish I could find some 10.5 inch Cobra R wheels in 4 lug.With all of the stangs out there with 4 lug wheels,and all of the Cobra R wheels sold,you'd think that the wheel makers would produce them (small rant,it's over now)..
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: Chuck W on July 07, 2007, 11:04:49 AM
Sorry Vinnie...as this has been covered ALOT. 

You have the wider 7.5 housing (86-88).  You could swap your brakes over to the Mustang housing and use the Mustang axles, but your axles will not work in the narrower 8.8 housing.  If you had the narrower 7.5 housing (83-85), then things would swap over w/o issue.
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: 84 Fila on July 07, 2007, 11:26:56 AM
Your doing kinda what I am, only using a newer axle.
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: vinnietbird on July 07, 2007, 11:27:53 AM
II may have a narrower TC rear (drum brake) in the garage.I know it's older as it has the 3.45 gears.I was hoping to keep from using spacers.I'll go do some measuring.I'll just use the T-Bird axles and 9 inch brakes then if the older rear is the same width as the Stang rear.
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: 1badcougar on July 09, 2007, 12:55:01 PM
When I put in a mustang 8.8 into my 87 cougar, I used my 10in cougar brakes with the mustang axles. This was a simple bolt on replacement of the mustang 9in brakes. Hope this helps.
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: Chuck W on July 09, 2007, 12:56:29 PM
Quote from: 1badcougar;159688
When I put in a mustang 8.8 into my 87 cougar, I used my 10in cougar brakes with the mustang axles. This was a simple bolt on replacement of the mustang 9in brakes. Hope this helps.



Yes, and you also pulled the rear wheels in 3/4" per side in doing so.
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: vinnietbird on July 09, 2007, 05:33:23 PM
The Stang rear has 10 inch brakes,as does the T-Bird rear I have now in the Sport.BUT,the 7.5 TC rear has 9 inch brakes,so,I'll just go 9 inch brakes and axles and call it a day.The difference between 9 and 10 inch brakes is probably just about nothing.
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: 84 Fila on July 09, 2007, 05:37:04 PM
Think about it vinnie, thats an whole extra inch of braking. Do the math and it will supprise you. If you can do it, I vote kick ass on it. If you can't then just do 9"
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: vinnietbird on July 09, 2007, 05:42:10 PM
Yes,it's an extra bit of brakes,but,considering that most of the braking is on the front,I really doubt I'd be able to tell a difference.I'd leave the stang rear alone if some wheel company would make 10.5 Cobra R wheels in 4 lug.
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: Kitz Kat on July 09, 2007, 05:43:54 PM
I'm confused? about the 7.5 tc rear?
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: Chuck W on July 09, 2007, 05:45:52 PM
Quote from: kitzdnm;159747
I'm confused? about the 7.5 tc rear?


83-86TCs had a 7.5 rear axle with 3.45 gears.

The 83-85's had the "narrow" Mustang housing and the 86's had the wider housing.  All were the same track width (axle  to axle )
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: vinnietbird on July 09, 2007, 05:49:04 PM
Geez,even I knew that.................after Chuck told me 68 times.LOL.
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: Ether947 on July 09, 2007, 05:49:24 PM
Quote from: kitzdnm;159747
I'm confused? about the 7.5 tc rear?

About what? Only the 87-88 TCs came with 8.8s.

EDIT:

Dadgummit! That's what I get for not clicking the post button. :(
Title: 7.5 brakes on an 8.8....
Post by: Kitz Kat on July 09, 2007, 05:59:00 PM
I will always be confused.But I do build them right.