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Topic: Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7 (Read 1570 times) previous topic - next topic

Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Was wondering what axle came standard, I have been told two diff. stories about my car, one that the axle was a replaced with a smaller size, and that is was replaced with a bigger size.

Anyway's just wonder

Daniel
1987 Cougar XR7 5.0 SOLD
1992 Ranger 4.0
2018 Hyundai Elantra
2019 Ram Rebel

Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Reply #1
I think the legend goes that SOME of the 87 XR7s got an 8.8" but most got a 7.5".  However, it's well dospoogeented that the '88's got 8.8"s. Enough numbers for ya?

Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Reply #2
Don't listen to what people told you.
Investigate it for yourself...:beatyoass:
Look on your inner door tag on the driver's side. It will tell you a code revealing what size rear and gear came in your car. That will be under the 'ax' part.
Then slide under the rear of the car and shine a flashlight on the rear cover. There should be a tag with another series of codes. That will tell you what rear is in the car as well as gearing. They both will give you the gearing that it 'should' have.
If you happen to have a 7.5 rear, the tags will tell you if its traction lok... Or you could just mash the gas to see if both tires spin :hick:
axle info

Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Reply #3
The reason I ask, is the people that owned the car before me had to replace the axle, and I got two different stories on what was the replacement.



This is what I got of the axle tag, 3SJ08A887j16 445c

Was just courious because I have to replace the breaks soon, and need to know what size drums I have etc.

Daniel
1987 Cougar XR7 5.0 SOLD
1992 Ranger 4.0
2018 Hyundai Elantra
2019 Ram Rebel

Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Reply #4
The brakes the same between the 7.5 and the 8.8 they are 9 x 2.
 I belive that is right. The trucks came with larger rear brakes.




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Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Reply #5
You have an 8.8 rear with 3.08 gears.
8.8 rears had 10" drums.

Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Reply #6
Not true. Not all 8.8's had 10" drums. You can look at the drums and see the difference. Generally, 9" drums are finned, and 10" are smooth. Not to mention, theyre different sized (duh)
It's Gumby's fault.

Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Reply #7
You can tell them apart. As far as I have seen, all 7.5" 's had 9inchers unless there was a towing package or the quad shocks. But my 86 had neither and has 10's on a 7.5.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Reply #8
My '88 with the 7.5 has 10" and no quads or towing package (but it does have a pencil thin sway bar). Shawn's way is generally the easiest to tell them apart because you can do so without even pulling a wheel: Fins on 9", smooth on 10"
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Reply #9
my 88 had a 7.5 3.27 t loc quadshocked 10" drum rear.  and a bigger Tc bar... but that had a ford factory replacement tag on it..
One 88

Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Reply #10
My 88 Bird has 10" drums on a 7.5 rear with a pencil thin rear sway bar. No tow package or quad shocks. From what I have seen by looking at T-birds and Cats in the junk yard it seems that 5.0 cars had 10" drums and 3.8 cars had 9" drums. Then again it seems that there is no ryme or reason as to which car got what type of rear drum set up.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

 

Standard Rear Axle in 87 xr7

Reply #11
What would my bird have. It's AX code Y I think and what rear does it have ( open, locker..) I know it's a 7.5 though