I'm looking to do a 8.8 swap from a 1980 throw 1997 mustang will the axle house need to be cut do

[Austen G Ornduff]

Hi I am looking to do a ford 8.8 swap on my 1973 dodge dart sport I'm thinking about going with a 1980 to 1997 mustang rear end will the rear axle need cut down or will it fit under the car

 

[missing linc]

You would be better off getting an 8.8 from a Ford Explorer, up to around 2001 model year. They come with disc brakes, usually a 3.73 or 4.10 gear, 31 spline axles and traction lok diff. (Fordspeak for Suregrip). There are threads on the site detailing what is involved, IIRC you want to get 2 right side axles, and cut the left side tube to get your correct length. Mustangs did not get the 8.8 until the 1985 model 5.0, and they used drum brakes and 28 spline axles with 3.08 or 3.27 gears, at least until the mid 90s.

 

[Professor Fate]

You would be better off getting an 8.8 from a Ford Explorer, up to around 2001 model year. They come with disc brakes, usually a 3.73 or 4.10 gear, 31 spline axles and traction lok diff. (Fordspeak for Suregrip). There are threads on the site detailing what is involved, IIRC you want to get 2 right side axles, and cut the left side tube to get your correct length. Mustangs did not get the 8.8 until the 1985 model 5.0, and they used drum brakes and 28 spline axles with 3.08 or 3.27 gears, at least until the mid 90s.

Not to mention, up until thereabouts they were 4 lug...

 

[MoparMike1974]

I think it was 86 for the 8.8 in the mustang. I had an 85 GT and it was 8.5 rear. Now that I think about it, it may have been as late as 88 before the mustang got the 8.8.
86 was the first year for fuel injection. I just remember 88+ was the desirable years.

 

[CudaFactHackJob]

A Ranger rearend before 93 will be narrow enough to fit under there. It's half an inch narrower, and the perches need to be moved. It's offset 2" and the stock one is offset 1 3/16" but the actual tunnel is offset 1 5/8".