How much do I need to narrow my 8.8 rearend

B L & sons · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 07:21 AM

Its a 8.8 rearend from a 88 mustang LX.The wheels are team III with all the offset thay recommended the tires are 265-15-50
"if this works"

from these photos how much would you say I need to narrow this rearend.
there are some more photos in my gallery from underneath the car if it helps.

I have seen threads here about using a rear from a explorer, would that be a better route to solve my problem?

Thanks for any help

B L & sons · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 07:23 AM

Ron61 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 08:03 AM

I am not sure this will help but when I had my Cobra I used the 8.8 rear end and never had to narrow it. But I don't remember what it came out of. If you can find one of the right width, that would be the easy way to go as if you narrow it then you also have to have the axles cut to fit.

Ron

Jerry Clayton · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 08:12 AM

I looked at your gallery, and if you remove the quad shocks, you can narrow it a little , but I believe that you don't have a lot of room with your set up.

And 8.8 axles can't be cut down because they use C clips---if you do narrow the rear convert to a Torino type housing end to eliminate the c clips and upgrade to 31 spline axles

Jerry

Rick Parker · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 08:13 AM

3.5"-4"

The better way to do it is remove the entire axle assembly from the car. Stand the tires up vertically and locate them in the wheel wells the way you want them. Then crawl under the car and measure the distance between the wheel mounting surfaces. Use this dimension to resize the existing axle assy, or resize any other axle you may choose.

Ron61 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 09:31 AM

The 31 spline axle is a worthwhile upgrade if you are really going to drive the car hard. I had mine upgraded to that with a built up Eaton posi in it. But as I said, I never had to do any narrowing or anything and I have talked to three others here who used the 8.8" and none of them had any problems. Must be the difference in the way the frame and rear end of the car is constructed.

Ron

CobraEd · #7 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 10:37 AM

I was told that the older 8.8 mustang rears were narrower than the newer ones. I forgot the transition date though.

B L & sons · #8 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 01:46 PM

Thanks for the help
Jerry.I have installed upper and lower adjustable control arm so I do not think the quad shock will be any advantage I well remove them,I need the room.

I was under the impression that I could narrow a 8.8,or is it like Ron61 recommends with the upgrade to 31 spline axle and a Eaton posi then it could narrowed.
Looks like the way to go is by what Rick has recommended .The rear has to come out one way or the other.After it is out I will measure from inside fender lip left to right.would any of you konw what the normal measurement should be? give or take
Thanks for your help
Bill

Rick Parker · #9 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 03:52 PM

B L & Sons........You have Private Message

nevermind65 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 04:28 PM

You can narrow an 8.8" about 4" overall. I had mine narrowed that much without a problem. Anything more and they have to start messing with the lower control arm mounts.

I also had to remove the quad shocks. I put the earlier traction style bars on. I used a set of Mosley axles. You can get 28 or 31 spline in whatever length you want for about $250 for the set and you can get them with C-clip style if you prefer. I used the axle flanges from a 94-95 Mustang so I could use the disk brakes. If you do not request this modification, they will give you axles from 93 and earlier and if you run disks in the rear, you will have to make an adapter for the rotor.

As for length, all the housings are the same except for some housing out of a T-Bird/Cougar with drums and 96-newer Mustangs. The axles were changed in 94-95 model Mustangs to accomodate the rear disks and anti-lock ring, but the housings were the same.

Any questions, drop me a PM.

By the way...I'm also working on a CMC. Had the same problem you are having.

B L & sons · #11 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 06:45 AM

Rick,
you have a pm

sandbox · #12 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 06:55 PM

I also had Team III wheels custom backspace to fit my narrowed '95 Mustang GT 8.8 rear. I took it to Moser in Indiana and had them take out all they could (including space for the quad shocks) and leave the stock mountings for the lower control arms. I believe they only took out 2.5-2.675" per side. I also had to buy new Moser axles because that year 8.8 axles neck down off the splines and could not be re-splined. it turned out well, though.

Cobra Dude · #13 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007, 10:54 AM

Also have a CMC with a Fox 8.8. The 8.8's from the Cougar, Lincoln and others are wider (IIRC by about 0.75" on either side). With 265-50-15's on 15x8's with 5" backspacing, the wheels fit like this... http://narwani.net/neil/cars/cobra_photos.html

Cheers,
-Neil.

Cobra Dude · #14 (**permalink**) 11-18-2007, 10:58 AM

BTW, I don't use the quad shocks -- I have Carrera coil-overs, Steeda LCA's with the 3-piece bushings and FRPP UCA's with the hi-durometer bushings.

Cheers,
-Neil.