Thread: Rear end width '89 8.8 Ford?

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Originally Posted by PaulE

Thinking about installing a 8.8 rear end in my '37 Ford, looking for the flange to flange width for a 1989 Mustang rear end. Have searched the internet but can't come up with the answer.
Anyone know the width?
Paul

Hey Paul,
According to this article in CarCraft magazine "we discovered that the Fox-body Mustang 8.8 rear is a mere 31/48-inch wider than the stock 8-inch '67 Mustang rear."

Read more: The Ford 8.8 Mustang Rear End - Car Craft MagazineThe Ford 8.8 Mustang Rear End - Car Craft Magazine
Most places list the '67 Mustang rear at 59.25" so the '89 Mustang rear should be right at 59.90" from each wheel mounting surface. That should work depending on the backspacing of the rear wheels you intend to use.
Hope that helps.
Randy

Here's some more info for you Paul. You could also consider the 8.8 from a '95-'02 ish Ford Explorer (that's a ball park on the years). It appears to be slightly narrower than the Mustang and has disc brakes (some Mustangs have discs too). Limited slip would be a great thing to have too. Here are some specs I found from another site:

Ford 8.8 assembly specs:
Cover bolt 28-38 ft.lbs.
Pinion bearing preload 16-29 in.lbs.
Pinion bearing preload 8-14 in.lbs (used)
Ring gear backlash .008-.015
Ring gear bolt to case 70-85 ft.lbs
Side bearing caps 70-85 ft.lbs.


Explorer 8.8 Measurements:
Weight (complete assembly w/ brakes etc.): 174 lb.
O.D. of tubes: 3.250".
Tube thickness: .250" (some are .188�!)
Ring gear diameter: 8.800".
Ring gear bolts: 7/16" dia. (qty. 10).
Pinion diameter/splines: 1.625 / 30.
Axle shaft/splines: 1.320 / 31.
Rotor thickness (where it mounts to axle is .250").
Overall width 59.625" (the F8.8 is .950" narrower then a TJ Dana 35).
(The F-150 8.8 is drum brake and width WMS to WMS is 65.5�.)
Hole diameter for ABS sensor in top of housing: .811".
Bolt size (U-joint flange to yoke) is: 12 x 1.75 x 30 mm
Centerline of housing to C/L of pinion difference is 3.875" toward the P/S.
Pinion offset: P/S to C/L of Pinion, 27-3/4" (no rotor on axle), D/S to C/L of Pinion, 31-5/8" (no rotor on axle). (this measurement is 2.5" more offset to the P/S then a TJ Dana 35).

Specs:
Code Capacity Ratio
43 Open 3200 3.08
41 Open 3200 3.27
42 Open 4.10
46 Open 3.73
45 Open 3200 3.55
D4 Limited Slip 3200 3.73
D2 Limited Slip 4.10
L73 Limited Slip 3.73
L - Limited Slip Differential
C - Conventional Differential