I picket up the latest CC mag from the food lion the other night. And ran across a artical on using 8.8 fords as a afordable option to GM 12 bolts and 9-inch's. They done so much changing to these rears that I dont see how it would be any cheaper at all. If you actualy done everything they did (or payed some els)in this artical you could prob almost buy a brand new 9-inch. As for availability well...yes and no ....12 bolts are still pretty easy to find here I saw atleast 2 today and wont even looking. 8.8's are easy to find in the traders but not so much in the junk yard's V-8 mustangs never make it to the yard here second hand guys intercept them given there are more cars to look in but that will bring about prob even more change to tube lenth.

They say they have lighter cases maybe a plus.

I just felt that maybe they ran out of things to wright about. Im sure its a good option It just dont look more cost eficiant to me. Not if you couldnt do it all your self.

Matt

It would be MUCH more cost efficient to use the 8.5" 10 bolt GM put in our cars.....

Saw an article years ago about something similiar to this. They were using a rear out of a Fairmont or Granada or something. Supposed to be a near bolt in. Of course it was an open rear and the ratio was all wrong so by the time they got it all changed to suit the application it was still big dollars. I think they just have a shop dream up this stuff, take a bunch of pictures and write a few captions, free publicity, there's an article. Don't think too many of us second genners have a thousand bucks to drop in a rear end.

The 8.5" 10 bolt (all 71-81 Camaros) is 98% as strong as a 12 bolt in stock form.
There are plenty of aftermarket parts for the 10 bolt. upgrade as you see fit.

The 8.5" 10 bolt (all 71-81 Camaros) is 98% as strong as a 12 bolt in stock form.
There are plenty of aftermarket parts for the 10 bolt. upgrade as you see fit.

I have to take slight issue with this - there is a substantial difference b/w 28 sp. axles (stock 10b) and 30 sp. axles (stock 12b) in the strength department. Not massive - but substantial. IIRC it was something like 10% difference. I have a 4x4 book that lists common axle ratings - I suppose I could look it up and be more exact.

Trainman maybe thats where hhott71 gets his 98% figure from, since the 12 bolt has 2 more splines stock.

Saw an article years ago about something similiar to this. They were using a rear out of a Fairmont or Granada or something. Supposed to be a near bolt in. Of course it was an open rear and the ratio was all wrong so by the time they got it all changed to suit the application it was still big dollars. I think they just have a shop dream up this stuff, take a bunch of pictures and write a few captions, free publicity, there's an article. Don't think too many of us second genners have a thousand bucks to drop in a rear end.

Granada's came with 9" rears with the 302 in the late 1970's. That was probably what that article was about.

10 bolts and 12 bolts share most of the same bearings so similar strength there. Most of the time 12 bolts will break the spiders, and 10 bolts the posi case before the axles go.

Moser's site also has axle strength on it by spline count.

You could add the 30 spline axles and an Eaton 30 spline posi to a 8.5 and have a pretty darn tough rear end, probably better than a stock 12 bolt.

The 8.8 is as strong as anything out there, as far as stock goes. we run 1 in the ranger and only do burnouts/brake stands/horror shows or whatever else you wanna call them, and the thing takes it like a champ. Change the fluid 1ce a season and it comes on pretty clean.

out 8.5s take plenty of abuse before they break and take up less power then a 9"/12 bolt

Where did you get the 8.8 for your Ranger, if you don't mind me asking? Was it a donor from an Explorer?

its an 88 ranger with a 93 explorer rear, but its and inch and 1/2 wider, the perches needed to be relocated for the leafs and shocks. They did put the 8.8 into the 4x4 rangers with v6 motors. I assume they fit better :)

I have an 8.8 rear in my 99 Xploder. 3.73 posi stock, Trac-loc style diff.

They say they're lubed for life with synthetic fluid and friction modifyer....

"They say"


I don't believe "they"...after 100k on the same fluid with no filter, no thanks. Cost of a synthitec rear fluid chance is like $18 and it keeps my gears and me happy.

Well I see some of yo read it LOL! All joking aside its a good article just a little out there on the $ i felt like. They cover just about everything even switching axle tubes and tell you what vehicles to get them from and what side if you were to use one from somthing other that a Mustange. Its a decent read you guys should check it out I thought it was just a bit conflicting.

They do mention the 8.8's in rangers and this was one of the vehicles donating axle tubes I do belive.

Matt