Swapped to Muscle - 75 Duster Daily build

missing linc said

For a somewhat simplified rear end and disc brake setup, have you considered using an 8.8 Ford out of an Explorer. They are typically equipped with a track lok diff, and 3.73 or 4.10 gears, plus disc brakes, and 4.5 in bolt circle. There are several threads on here that detail the process of using one. Just a thought.
Your build is very interesting and it is really cool that the kids are interested and involved.

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Thank you! I appreciate it!! :D

I have looked into that swap and it really interests me. I have been looking around to see if there were some that are available without having to pull one from my local JY but they are kinda treating them like gold. There is one on Craigslist that is 50% complete with axles, carrier and housing (no brakes) that the guy wants like $1200 or $1300 for. crazy! All because its painted. Otherwise they are the Ranger versions that, after the bit of research that I have done, are the weaker ones with like 28? splines and drums.

Another limitation that I have is the lack of tools/options in my garage. I dont have 220 to be able to use a welder so I am limited in what I can do. I know I could probably look into getting a shop that can cut, narrow and weld the tubes back together along with welding the perches in the right spot. I just havent looked into it enough to see the cost difference. I would like to see about keeping it a bit wider, closer to the specs of a early B-Body and from my understanding, a cut and narrowed 8.8 is the same size as a A-Body. Though, I may be wrong on that.