I have a 86 country squire with an 8.8 rear end in it. We are going to be putting a 2005 chevy duramax diesel with the allison trans in it. I am debating on using the factory rear end and upgrading all the internals. I was told that some of the late 70s ford ltd's had the ford 9" with the 4 link set up. I was wondering if anyone knows what years ltd that would have came with that rear end as well as would that rear end be a direct bolt up in the country squire? I appreciate any help.
Not a ford guy myself, but several of my faster ford oriented friends swear by the 8.8. I don't think a well built 8.8 should have a problem surviving anything a similarly built 9" would, just from what I have seen them take. Once again though, no personal experience.
Not sure about a derect bolt up, but alot if not all 80's/ eraly 90's model F-100's came with a 9'' ford rear. No idea about spline count though....
I'm building a 37 chevrolet and used a Ford 8.8. I found that if you find the right year (I can't remember specifics because it's been a while but it is near 1995-2002) under an Explorer you get the 32 spline with factory disc brakes. There are even factory positracs out there all over the pull a part yards. Brandon
any 71-76(and probably others) GM will BOLT RIGHT IN! the wheels are different tho.Personally i would opt for a 12 bolt BIA (bolt in axle) from an olds or buick. or a 10 bolt BIA lil trick from a derby guy on parts that will hold up to punishment.
Ford 8.8s will stand up to quite a lot, right off the showroom floor, IF you find the right donor. The 85 and up Colony Parks, Country Squires, Crown Victorias and Grand Marquis with the 351 and either the towing package or performance handling package came with heavy duty rear drum brakes as well as limited slip and 2.73:1 gearing. Needless to say, they are a direct bolt in. My younger brother had well over 400,000 miles on his 86 and the dif was working as new when the car went to the scrap yard. Nothing had been done to it except to change to fully synthetic fluid somewhere around 150,000 miles. With the mods he had done, his 351 was putting out somewhere around 450 ft/lbs of torque, too. I know the diesel will be putting out even more, but it should be well within the capabilities of the 8.8. You can also swap in the rear discs from the Explorer, using the brackets, etc. from a donor axle.
Make sure you keep us posted on the swap. Sounds really interesting. I liked to see what your MPG figures are.
Keep the 8.8. If you want rear wheel discs you can take the parts from a '92+ Crown Vic and they bolt right on.
While there is no doubt the 9" Ford is the undisputed rear axle for strength and reliability, the 8.8" is a pretty stout unit, unless you're planing on heavy towing or racing around the 8.8 will work for a while. You're tripling the torque out put remember, and I don't care how careful you drive, that motor is a beast. The Duramax could turn that 8.8 into a broken pile of parts quick. A really cool swap would be the full floating rear axle from the same diesel truck. The deciding factor would be what you plan on doing with wagon powered by a Duramax. Sounds like a cool set up. Mike
I don't know the power #'s, but I know one survived many 11.xx second passes on both drag radials (the worst tire for a rear, sticky and very firm sidewall=no give) and slicks behind a manual trans.
