Width of 8.8 axle

[Yama-Bro]

Hi Guys,

I'm trying to find a 8.8 fox body axle to rebuild for my unpurchased kit. I found a guy not to far from here that has a housing with trak loc for $150. He said it's from an 88 or 89 GT. I am going to have him measure the width to be sure it's the right thing before I drive to get it. Where is the 59.25" measured from? This axle doesn't have the axle shafts anymore, so all I can have him measure to is the flanges.

Thanks!

Frank

[videodude]

Google is your friend. C/P from another forum:

The 8.8 axle was released in '83 and made its way into the fox platform in '86.

Factory Mustang and other fox body cars.
Housing width is 59.25" with zero center section offset. Axle shaft length is 29.25"
Brakes are 9" or 10" 4 lug Drums

Gear ratios from factory are normally
2.26 for 4.2L v8 auto 78-82
2.47 for 5.0l v8 auto 79-??
3.08 for v8 all trans 82-84/5ish?
2.73 for v8 manual 87-93
3.27 for v8 auto 87-93
3.27 in 7.5" for N/A 4 cylinder
3.45 in 7.5" for turbo 4 cylinder (except 85 and 86 SVO and below 87-88 TC)


Popular Swaps
**All numbers below are based on comparison to factory fox body mustang.**

87-88 Turbo Coupe and 93 Cobra 8.8" axles are basically the same with 30" (3/4" longer) axle shafts meaning, they are 1.5" wider overall.
brakes are 10" 4 lug vented rotors

Gear ratios from the factory:
3.55 for the manuals
3.73 for the autos
3.08 on the 93 Cobra


87-92 Lincoln Mark VII 8.8 axles are 30.5" (1.25" longer) per side, meaning total width is 2.5" wider.
brakes are 10.5" 5 lug vented rotors
gearing is normally 3.27 or 3.08

SVO and 87-93 Saleen shared these axle shafts.


94-98 SN95 8.8 and 7.5 share the same 30" (3/4" longer) axle shafts, meaning they are 1.5" wider overall.
have two options for rear brakes

GT and v6
10.5" 5 lug non-vetned rotors
cobra (non IRS only?)
11.65" 5 lug vented rotors


99-04 SN95 housings are 3/4" longer per side, and the axles are 1.5" longer per side but they continue to share the 94-98 rear brakes.

Video




Hi Guys,

I'm trying to find a 8.8 fox body axle to rebuild for my unpurchased kit. I found a guy not to far from here that has a housing with trak loc for $150. He said it's from an 88 or 89 GT. I am going to have him measure the width to be sure it's the right thing before I drive to get it. Where is the 59.25" measured from? This axle doesn't have the axle shafts anymore, so all I can have him measure to is the flanges.

Thanks!

Frank

[GoDadGo]

Mike Forte is a good source for rebuilt 8.8's Fords.
Moser Engineering has a Dana 44 style (TSD-500) that is the correct width and it is 100% brand new.
It uses an Eaton Style Sure Track worm drive style posi.
Just understand if you go with the Moser piece, you will need to shorten your drive shaft so be aware of that issue.
Good luck on your search.

[Yama-Bro]

Thanks for the reply, that's good info, but I'm still confused on where the 59.25" is measured is it the outside of the backing plates that are part of the housing or is it to the outside flanges of the axles? Sorry for the questions...I've been searching but haven't found much

[Yama-Bro]

Ok, I just found a hot rod article that says the 59.25" is measured axle flange to axle flange. Thanks for the help. =)

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/1308-ford-rear-axle/

[videodude]

The housing is 59.25 in all cases from 87 to 2004. The axles are different lengths (through the years) due to the additional width of the ABS tone ring, which explains the wider "track" of SN95 and later Mustangs. To be clear, the axles from left to right are the SAME length, as the pumpkin is centered, unlike other 7.5/8.8 rear ends, which is why when changing from 4 lug to 5 lug, one uses 2 axles from the same side of a Ranger PU or Aerostar, which has an offset pumpkin (but uses a correct length Mustang axle).

Video

[Jeff Kleiner]

The housing is 59.25 in all cases from 87 to 2004. The axles are different lengths (through the years) due to the additional width of the ABS tone ring, which explains the wider "track" of SN95 and later Mustangs. To be clear, the axles from left to right are the SAME length, as the pumpkin is centered, unlike other 7.5/8.8 rear ends, which is why when changing from 4 lug to 5 lug, one uses 2 axles from the same side of a Ranger PU or Aerostar, which has an offset pumpkin (but uses a correct length Mustang axle).

Video

Actually no. The Fox flange to flange is 59.25 but the housing itself is less. '94-'98 is about 1 1/2" wider flange to flange but the housing width is the same as Fox. Using Fox width axles will make it 59.25 F-F. 1999 and up are wider still with a wider housing. They can not be brought to Fox width without cutting and narrowing the housing.

Jeff

[videodude]

Jeff,

You're right; I'm afraid I was "over simplifying". Bottom line is that the OP probably wants the earlier housing, but still would need to deal with acquiring the proper length (and lug configuration) axles.

Video