Installing a Mustang II 8" rear in a Ranger

[19Walt93]

I suspect no one else has done this, I had an 8.8 that turned out to be junk except for the housing and the axle pads were welded on the housing at 2 different angles-both wrong. I have a stock of parts for the Mustang II I've owned for 30 years so I measured the axle width for the heck of it. A Mustang II rear axle is 1/4" wider than the 91 Ranger rear end that was in my 93. I had a new Yukon limited slip that was for my Mustang, a variety of gears, and assorted hardware. I was able to build a new 8" rear after buying a bearing and seal kit, new wheel bearings, and axle seals. Currie made me a pair of 5 lug axles(about $500) and the 10" Ranger backing plates bolted right up to the Mustang II housing like they were made for it. I was amazed and pleased that I didn't have to use the 9" Mustang II brakes. I got the universal shock brackets and 65-66 Mustang spring pads from Currie, too, and welded them on. An 8" is the same design as a 9" so it's easier to work on(IMO) than an 8.8 and I can change the gear ratio quick and easy if I want to. I drag raced my 13 second Mustang for over 20 years and never broke the 8", I'm confident I won't break this one going to the transfer station, the hardware store, and Home Depot.

 

[sgtsandman]

You just jinxed yourself. It's gonna break on the way back from Home Depot now.

 

[19Walt93]

You're probably right. I said last week that I was looking forward to an early spring, the weather this morning said 6-10" from Monday into Tuesday. Hopefully it'll last long enough for me to decide if I'm happy with the gear ratio. I'm running a C4 so I went with 3.00's due to not having overdrive. I'm not good at leaving well enough alone so I'll probably change it to something else just because.

 

[don4331]

Walt:

I'm following your progress - I'm working with an 8" for the front axle of my tandem - Fred Hone mounted his OD unit off the front of the differential (17" long/6" diameter) without failing the differential, so I figure a "throw over" transfer case, should be OK.

http://www.stangerssite.com/honeodrive.html

 

[19Walt93]

You don't mean the 8" will be driving the front wheels, right? You'd need to find reverse cut gears or you'll be driving the coast side.

 

[don4331]

Forward rear axle would be 8"; Aft rear axle will be Dana 35 HP.

 

[19Walt93]

Nice professional looking job, that's a little more involved than my project.