'96 8.8 Mustang disc rear to '85 drum rear conversion

[fxbill]

Hi,
I own a Classic Roadster 427 rep with a 351 stroker, T5 and 8.8 rear from a 1985 Mustang...drum brakes, but the previous owner has converted the drums to 5 lug axles.
I just blew the spider gears and pinion and my axles have about 1/2 inch of side play in them. Rather than rebuilding the existing unit I've decided to just change the entire rear end assembly.
I have the option of a 1996 Mustang rear end assembly complete with disc brakes and 373 gearing...a low mileage unit that I'd like to install in place of the existing drum brake rear assembly.
1. What complications will I experience in installing this unit? I've read that the existing master cylinder will not work correctly...is this true?...and if so what do I need to do to correct the problem?
2. Will the drum brake lines work as is?
3. Same question for the emergency brake cable???
4. Are there any other snags that I might run into with this installation?

Thanks for any help you can give me.
Bill

[Dave Engel]

fxbill, your going to need more pedal pressure for the disc brakes
the 96 rear is wider than the 85 so your backspacing for your current rims. not sure on the E-brake cable?

Dave

[dscott]

It's pretty much a bolt in. You will probably need to change the main hose to the frame or adapt it. The biggest problem is the wheel offset which Dave mentioned. The rear is 1 1/2" wider so unless your wheels were set in a little they won't work. Dave also mentioned the master which would need to be changed to a 4 disc system. I use a 1976 Corvette for the 4 wheel disc. You could also adapt a master from the 96 Mustang to work. The e-brake cable from your old rear end will work.
Don

[fxbill]

Thank you guys very much. I talked with a rear end specialist today and they're quoting a reasonable price to install a new Auborn posi unit and my choice of gearing. Since the car has always stopped just fine with the drums it might be easier to go that route. I was leaning towards the 96 rear because I was told that it already had 3.73 gears in it......today I found out that it doesn't....there's a few hundred extra $$ that I wasn't planning on.
I had 3.55 gears in it before and with a huge jump from 4th to 5th I ended up cruising at 80 and not much over 2000 RPM. I'm thinking the 3.73 or even 4.10 would be a better choice.
Thanks again for all your help!
Bill