84 Tbird 3.8, 5.0 swap
Reply #10 –
The axles (just the shafts) are longer on those. The '94-'98 (axles only, the rear housing itself is the same for ALL years) has an ideal track width for Tbird swaps.
Basically there's three widths of Mustang 8.8 rears....you have Fox (4 lug) and those are too narrow for Tbirds, then there's the '94-98 Mustang 8.8 and those are perfect, as you get 5 lug and disc brake, then there's a the 99-04 and the axles in those are longer than the '94-98,though the housing itself is the same, as is the brakes. You CAN swap the axles all around through all the years, same with brakes, but expect it to be a bit of work putting discs on a drum rear.
What I did with my Sport was use a TC 8.8, '94-'98 axles, the stock Tbird Sport drum brake backing plates, '88 Crown Vic drums, and Tbird Sport brakes shoes for a 10 inch drum brake 8.8 rear with 3.55 gears and Trac Lock. Worked like a charm
I still have that rear, actually....though it's not for sale.