Which rear end to purchase

[33 IMP]

The fascination of the 8.8 is cause it's about the only solid rear commonly available that isn't too heavy,too weak, too wide, (yet still easily narrowed) and has good parts as oem, (discs, gears and lsd), and even better stronger parts commonly available. When was the last time you saw a b-body 8 3/4 in a boneyard, let alone one with discs, 3.55s and a suregrip?
What's NOT to like, other than the name?

 

[cj's mopar]

I agree with you probably more available in bone yard .
But Simple search where I live on Facebook marketplace place and I can have my choice is all.
If the op is looking for bolt in no mod situation the a factory size 8.75 is not hard to find used and in good condition.

 

[j-c-c-62]

The fascination of the 8.8 is cause it's about the only solid rear commonly available that isn't too heavy,too weak, too wide, (yet still easily narrowed) and has good parts as oem, (discs, gears and lsd), and even better stronger parts commonly available. When was the last time you saw a b-body 8 3/4 in a boneyard, let alone one with discs, 3.55s and a suregrip?
What's NOT to like, other than the name?

My son's track day 5.0 Mustang w/8.8 is in contention to get a 8.75" if we convert his car to a Torque arm suspension. rear discs, and big bolt pattern, since I have so many suitable 8.75's sitting around. Being able to do quick gear swaps is useful for different tracks.

 

[33 IMP]

My son's track day 5.0 Mustang w/8.8 is in contention to get a 8.75" if we convert his car to a Torque arm suspension. rear discs, and big bolt pattern, since I have so many suitable 8.75's sitting around. Being able to do quick gear swaps is useful for different tracks.

Nothing wrong with using what you have.... but if I felt the need to replace an 8.8, I think a nine would be my go-to.

I'm guessing my perspective is screwed by the prices asked for a-body 8 3/4 stuff. I think a narrowed expedition 8.8 could be done much cheaper than the $1500-2000 I've seen for a a-body 8 3/4 with a suregrip and decent gears and bbp axles.

 

[cj's mopar]

Speed way has 9 in kits 54 inch for 1800
Right now .
But you would need brakes with big ford back plate
Depends on what you got I guess

 

[dvw]

Most factory 9" are weaker than either a 8.8" or 8 3/4". There are some Ranger housings that 46.5" so plenty close enough without narrowing. Dana 60 8 lug truck stuff is a good canidate to cut and narrow. Not that hard but not everybody is is that handy. We were buying 8.8" for less than $300 complete. And then the local yard would have 50% off days to boot.
Doug

 

[SlinktRR]

What year Explorers do we need to look for to get 8.8 housings that fit 68-70 B?

 

[john-9]

What year Explorers do we need to look for to get 8.8 housings that fit 68-70 B?

so your stock 68-70 B-body 8-3/4 is 60-1/8 inches WMS to WMS (wheel mounting surface ) Explorer rear axles from 1991-03 are 59-3/4 inches WMS to WMS so slightly shorter than the 8-3/4 , early 1991- 94 Explorers have drum brakes ,, later 1995 to 03 Explorers have disc brakes. the other thing you should take into consideration as well is pinion offset of the housing ,, you want your driveshaft to run true so as not to overwork the u-joint. measure your stock axle housing pinion offset and compare it to the Explorer axle pinion offset ,, pinion offset is measured by putting a straight edge across your axle flange WMS and measure in to the center line of the pinion from both sides ,, I'd say if you are within a 1/2 inch of being the same pinion offset between both your stock axle housing and the Explorer axle housing you are good to go. the 8.8 is an excellent axle to work with but then again a stock 68-70 8-3/4 B-body axle should not be hard to find for your car and simply bolts in.

 

[j-c-c-62]

So what u joint solution does the 8.8 offer?

 

[T2R9]

Good evening, I have a 1969 Coronet that came with an 8 1/4inch rear end. Originally it had the 318 engine, I will be replacing with a 440ci probably in the neighborhood of 500hp / 727 trans. I’m assuming I will probably be needing a little bit heavier of a rear end. I’m not planning on doing any drag racing, etc. and will basically be running a little over stock size 15 inch tires. (No slicks). My question is would an 8 3/4inch rear end be enough or would y’all recommend something bigger? And a good source for the rear end.

Here is one somewhat local to us.

mopar b body 8-3/4

Out of 70 gtx 323 gears 489 case

www.facebook.com

 

[john-9]

So what u joint solution does the 8.8 offer?

if you do go with the 8.8 you would be advised to rebuild the unit with new bearings , clutches etc. so instead of using the flat pinion flange the Explorer rear axle uses replace the flat flange with a conventional u-bolt yoke like Yukon YY F880601 (1330 series yoke 3-518 inch across with1-1/8 caps ) also available in 1350 series yoke ( 3-5/8 inch across with 1-3/16 caps ) , you are going to have to have a driveshaft built anyway you go with your conversion. if you do not want to buy a new yoke and have any pick a part yards near you look for early/mid 80's Ford f150's with the 8.8 rear axle they should have the conventional u-bolt pinion yoke 1330 series.