How to align rear end after 8.8 swap

-
A

Andre68

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2013
Messages
572
Reaction score
5
Location
San Diego
I swapped out the old rear end out of my 64 barracuda for an 8.8 out of a 2001 explorer (28 spline, 3:73, Limited-slip).

How do I go about making sure its aligned with the car so I can weld it to the new perches?

Do I have to take it in to the alignment shop and have them do it?

**other info that may be useful***
-My barracuda is a project and currently not running. It has all brand new suspension in it so it is currently not aligned.
-Yes, I did narrow the longer side of the ford 8.8 rear end.

Thanks
 
Measure across the front frame rails and find center, mark the k-member and attach a string or have someone hold it and stretch it to the rear say were the backing plate meets the axle and make it the same on both sides, the front to rear distants will be set by the I bolts in the springs so you only have to measure side to side.
 
brian6pac said:
Measure across the front frame rails and find center, mark the k-member and attach a string or have someone hold it and stretch it to the rear say were the backing plate meets the axle and make it the same on both sides, the front to rear distants will be set by the I bolts in the springs so you only have to measure side to side.
Click to expand...


Awesome thanks so much for the response!

I seem to be a little confused... I apologize for that.

1) "backing plate meets the axle" I'm a little confused by as to what is the backing plate?

2)If I stretch a rope from the front to the rear, I imagine I run the chance of getting the measurement slightly off center. By maybe accidentally pulling more or less to one side or another. Do I have this concept correct? Pull a string back to the rear from the found center using the my check point that I will mark on the K member?

Do I measure from the inside rails? Or outside rails? Does it matter?

Thanks!!
 
Inside outside doesn't mater just find center, measure it a couple different ways and see if it's the same, pull the string as far out on the axle as you can from the center of the front like the outer axle flange or the housing flange whatever is easier, you can use a tape measure but I find a string is easier. It is very accurate doing it this way.
 
Okay i think I'm starting to grasp the concept.

So use the measurement I got up front, and stretch the string to the rear. Measure the rear frame rails and find the exact point I found up front so I know where to locate my string from up front.

Measure axle flange to axle flange and find center. Use that point to locate my rear end in the center it.

Set pinion angle and weld.

Correct?
 
no just do a triangle, center front to right rear mark the string, center front to left rear mark the string, center the axle till you get the same reading on both sides.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top