Rear End Build

[SCFFR]

Hopefully like several of you, I took advantage of the recent FFR promotion and received the free 3-link rear suspension package with my MkIV roadster. I looked at all of the available options and was leaning towards a complete Fox/SN95 unit. I was at a nearby Mustang salvage yard and mentioned to the owner I was looking for a rear end when he pointed out a bare Fox housing that he had just stripped. He commented that I could build it any way I wanted which sounded pretty good. After handing over $100, we loaded the housing into my truck. Here’s a list of what I added.

Axle/brake complete kit North Racecars $799.00
3.31 Ford Racing ring and pinion set Summit $179.95
Ford Racing Traction Lok limited slip differential Summit $194.75
Ford Racing installation kit Summit $ 99.95
Labor to assemble rear end Local garage $154.50

The total was $1528.15 but then I also added a nice option of a cast aluminum cover from Summit for $149.95

So, I ended up spending $1,678.10 but got an essentially new rear end (except for housing) with the exact gear ratio I wanted. Certainly no huge savings over units that are offered by several vendors but have to admit it was fun stripping the housing, cutting of unneeded brackets, test fitting the empty housing, welding on the 3-link bracket, and painting the unit. Hopefully will do the final installation in the next day or so. Most importantly, I am now very familiar with every part of the rear end and how everything goes together.

[AC Bill]

The labor to do the rear end build certainly seems reasonable enough. Hopefully they carefully checked all the torque specs, and shimmed it as required, and it gives you many years of reliable service.

Hope you have a friend to help you install it. Lifting it into position, over the panhard bar framing is pretty tough for one fellow to do alone..:)

[jspa]

MK4 has bolt in panhard bar mount. It gets installed after the axle is in place.

[AC Bill]

MK4 has bolt in panhard bar mount. It gets installed after the axle is in place.

That's a surprise! In the past, the bolt-in three link set up, was only for those adding it as an option after they had already rec'd the kit. If ordered right from the get go, it was welded in place by FFR, prior to shipping. I thought welding it in, had it's advantages over the bolt in set up. Wonder why they don't weld it any longer?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Wonder why they don't weld it any longer?

They streamlined the production process by making all of the solid axle chassis the same now. They have both the 3 link and 4 link upper mounts welded in and for a 3 link the panhard mount bolts in.

Jeff

[Avalanche325]

So I have to weld a bracket on when I get my donor rear?

[SCFFR]

My MkIV base kit arrived with the panhard mount already attached (bolted, not welded) to the chassis so I will have to get the rear end over that support bar.

I was lucky in finding a local mechanic who happened to have 20+ years experience with the local racing crowd so he had plenty of experience with the Ford 8.8 rear end.

[AC Bill]

So I have to weld a bracket on when I get my donor rear?

Well if you meant the panhard mounting framework, apparently not, although personally welding would seem the stronger method to me.

There is the third link, (also known as the banana bracket), that although welding it in place (on the right axle tube) is recommended, it is not a requirement. As it comes from the factory, it's simply a bolt on. Some will use the optional VPM 3 link brace, to further reinforce it, without the need for welding. This brace was attached to the pumpkin, and back to the top of the banana bracket.
Usually those builders running the bigger HP mills, with wide sticky tires, or if one was planning on some action at the drag strip, needed the added welding. FFR also has made improvements to the design of the banana brackets axle tube attachment, starting with the MKIII 3.1 models.

At one time, on the earlier model Roadsters, the bracket on the frame that the third link attached to, was also a bolt on piece. It was a bit of a weak spot, again mainly with the hard launchers, high HP cars. VPM also sells an additional brace for that, but with the release of the MKIII 3.1 model, that frame bracket was welded on, and extra reinforcement was added by FFR, so the need for it any longer is questionable. This VPM brace ran from the frame bracket, back to another point on the main frame.

Here is a thread that discuss this, and has pictures to show you what I am talking about.

http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/243009-3-link-brace.html

Other builders may have opinions on this, and what is best for the MKIV model.

[jlfernan]

My MkIV base kit arrived with the panhard mount already attached (bolted, not welded) to the chassis so I will have to get the rear end over that support bar.

I was lucky in finding a local mechanic who happened to have 20+ years experience with the local racing crowd so he had plenty of experience with the Ford 8.8 rear end.

Mine came bolted only for shipping. I took it off to have it powder coated, as mine came bare steel. While it's off, you can mount the rear end. And double check, I needed to drill one more hole where the bracket meets the frame at the lower left 4" tube. You drill thru the bracket into the end of the tube and put another nut and bolt there.

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5319/dscf2685k.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2561/jorgec.jpg (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=111)

[SCFFR]

My "helper" wasn't available yesterday so I just unbolted the panhard bar bracket and was able to get the rear end installed by myself. I had the floor jack under the center section and two jackstands under the axle tubes. I would jack the rear end up a few inches and then pull up the jack stand center. Kept going up until I could get the 3-link and lower arms connected.

Even though I did weld the 3-link bracket on the housing in several spots, I still installed the VPM 3-link brace as insurance and also because it looks pretty cool!

Will work on the rear disc brakes today.