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Topic: 8.8 from cougar the same width as a mustang? (Read 5992 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: 8.8 from cougar the same width as a mustang?

Reply #15 –
Is it possible to put some 5 lug axles into a 7.5 rear? I mean, an 8.8 is nice and all but junkyard swaps are more economical. I have yet to meet anyone who has broken their 7.5 and I know a few:

87 XR7 302 HO 7.5" 3.73 trac-loc
78 fairmont 347 blown 7.5" 3.73 w/spool
84 T-Bird 302 HO t-5 7.5" 3.45 t-loc
84 Mustang drag car 7.5" 4.10 spool

The 84 stang belongs to a guy I used to work with.  He had his own small hotrod shop on the side.  He swore by the 7.5 because it was lighter than the 8.8 (less power to turn) and he said properly prepped could handle gobs of torque.  Also, his claim was that it was the axles that were the weak link and that they are the same as the 8.8 axles(28 spline/c-clip).

I say beat on a part until it breaks, then you know it couldn't handle the abuse.  Cheaper is better(at least with a wife, 2 kids and a mortgage) :2c:

Oh BTW the 84 stang could lift the front wheels too!! Sounds strong enough for me.

Re: 8.8 from cougar the same width as a mustang?

Reply #16 –
There is absolutely nothing wrong with beefing up a 7.5" rear. That guy is absolutely correct: it's lighter, and the first thing to break on either a 7.5" or 8.8" will be an axle shaft. Hell, someone even makes rear end girdles for the 7.5" now. And it is about 80 lbs. lighter overall. You can indeed use 1994-98 Mustang axle shafts in your 7.5" with no problem at all.

Re: 8.8 from cougar the same width as a mustang?

Reply #17 –
Quote from: EricCoolCats
There is absolutely nothing wrong with beefing up a 7.5" rear. That guy is absolutely correct: it's lighter, and the first thing to break on either a 7.5" or 8.8" will be an axle shaft. Hell, someone even makes rear end girdles for the 7.5" now. And it is about 80 lbs. lighter overall.

A guy weighed a 7.5" and 8.8" here. Here is another 7.5/8.8 comparison. Visteon, the manufactures of the 7.5" and 8.8" axles, have their own data here.
Summary:

"Narrow" LSD 8.8 w/o axles, brakes, brake lines, mooseballs, pinion snubber, fluid - 116 lbs
Open 7.5 in same condition as above - 103 lbs

Open Fox width 7.5, with axles, drum brakes - 170 lbs
LSD SN95 width 8.8, with axles, disc brakes - 203 lbs (215 w/quad brackets)
99+ 7.5 (w/mooseballs?)
99+ 8.8 w/o mooseballs - 16 lb difference

Unknown 7.5 w/o axles, fluid, brakes - 100 lbs
Unknown 8.8 w/o axles, fluid, brakes - 130 lbs (120 w/o mooseballs)

Visteon 7.5 - 129 lbs
Visteon 8.8 - 146 lbs

It seems the difference is around 10-30 lbs, not 80.

Edited to change grammar, add summary

Re: 8.8 from cougar the same width as a mustang?

Reply #18 –
Quote
It seems the difference is around 10-30 lbs, not 80.


Sounds reasonable to me......

Re: 8.8 from cougar the same width as a mustang?

Reply #19 –
Then....someone explain why I can pick up and move a 7.5" rear by myself, but I need 2 people to haul an 8.8". There has got to be more than 20 lbs. difference.

Re: 8.8 from cougar the same width as a mustang?

Reply #20 –
Where did the 80lb. difference come from? I ran across that number a few times while searching but there was never any data to back it up. I don't know why the 8.8" feels so much heavier than the 7.5".

Re: 8.8 from cougar the same width as a mustang?

Reply #21 –
Quote from: Chuck W
If you want to 5-lug a TBird/Cougar...use axles and brakes from a 94-98 Mustang...axles are the same length....


  I had a set of 96 V6 Mustang axles and tried to install these in my 87 XR7 equipted 7.5 axle, and they would not fit, The shoulder for the disc brakes would not allow me to instal the c clips in the pumpkin.

  Here's the question of the day...The 7.5 ranger and the 8.8 axles are different length,according to Rangerstation.com....so can i use an 8.8 axle and drum set up(10") in the stock housing of the XR7....I need the conversion for my LSC wheels....... :D  Kevin
 

Re: 8.8 from cougar the same width as a mustang?

Reply #22 –
Quote from: EricCoolCats
Then....someone explain why I can pick up and move a 7.5" rear by myself, but I need 2 people to haul an 8.8". There has got to be more than 20 lbs. difference.


  If you were lifting 130lbs and I asked you to carry my beer case too, would 20-30lbs seem like a lot then?  (I bet you'd try :giggle: )

didn't I settle this here