Hey all:
Could someone tell me if the '75 and '76 rear ends would have basically been the same*? I am considering restoring a '75 Sedan rear end to put under my wagon (I don't want to pull my own rear end out); it would be easier just to do a full swap out of the unit. Will this work?
*Some questions:
1) Are wagon and sedan rear ends different? How? Size/dimensions/gear ratios? (PS - mine are the dreaded 3.08 gears on an MPG moodel)
2) Fit-wise, would the shock perches and springs mate up properly?
3) What else do I need to know?
Anyone? Many thanks. It would be nice if we had a "chart" that woould show interchangeability between the different years.
Chris
Quote from: popbumper on October 07, 2008, 11:22:31 AM
Hey all:
Could someone tell me if the '75 and '76 rear ends would have basically been the same*? I am considering restoring a '75 Sedan rear end to put under my wagon (I don't want to pull my own rear end out); it would be easier just to do a full swap out of the unit. Will this work?
*Some questions:
1) Are wagon and sedan rear ends different? How? Size/dimensions/gear ratios? (PS - mine are the dreaded 3.08 gears on an MPG moodel)
2) Fit-wise, would the shock perches and springs mate up properly?
3) What else do I need to know?
Anyone? Many thanks. It would be nice if we had a "chart" that woould show interchangeability between the different years.
Chris
All the Pinto/Bobcat/Mustang II 8" & 6.75" rears will interchange (direct bolt in) in sedans/H/Bs/wagons. You MIGHT have driveshaft length issues when swapping between an 8" and 6.75". The shock plate assemblies are different for wagons due to the extra leaf, and the Mustang IIs have different ones that will mount a rear bar as well as regular ones that will fit the different style shocks (the top mounts of Mustang II rear shocks will direct bolt to a sedan or H/B; what I have in mine to mount the rear bar). E-brake cables will work for any of the rears I listed. IIRC: There are gears anywhere from 3.55's to 2.79's from the factory, and many more aftermarket. The rear ratios can differ greatly between cars depending on the options each car cam with.
You might want to check out the 8" rear thread in the FAQ section.
Right now I can't think of any other thing that will hinder any swaps between the parts I mentioned.
Bill
Are you staying with the same size rearend (6-3/4" or 8")? Frankly, I don't think matters. I put a '78 Mustang, 8" in place of my '73 wagon, 6-3/4". Supposedly the Mustang and Pinto rearends are the same.
As to your question about charts, I got all my information at:
http://mustangii.org/decoder/axle/
A few other notes:
1. There was something about the spring clamps and brackets that one needed (I took all that stuff) but basically it went right in. In the end I recall mix matching stuff as you would need different shocks to use the Mustang mounts.
2. If you are going from a 6-3/4" to an 8" - the 6-3/4" brake drums won't fit (at least in my case). The center holes were too small. I'm so glad I took advice to get a "drum to drum" rearend.
3. I had to reuse the Pinto parking brake cable.
4. I took all the brake (line/hoses) with the 8".
5. I went from a C-4, 6-3/4" to a T-5, 8". I was able to use the same driveshaft (45.5" I recall). While tire size and a 3.97 first gear (T/C, T-5) would have worked best with a 3.25 gear set (rare, or aftermarket only) I opted for a 3.00 over a 3.55. Where as a 3.55 would have matched the T/C ratio, it used 225-60-16's. I'm going with 14" or 15" wheels in the 205-60 range. Also, the Pinto is about a 1,000 pounds lighter. So between the smaller tire size and less weight the 3.00 seemed like the logical choice.
My out the door price (rearend, core charge, sales tax, environmental fee) was $116. This was a "Pick A Part" non-sale price. It took me 6 months to find an 8" and I wasn't going to risk waiting for a 50% off sale.
Hope that helps, Tom
Ford is Notorious for using larger bearings on there wagons.
Even though the axles are the same and the housings are the same.
The wagons have wider brake shoes so I would double check the backing plates.
I'm not saying they ARE different and my memory of the rearend rebuild differences aren't quiet clear.
But its always good to know where to look for differences. And don't mix the parts up when disabling.
Best of Luck
FrankBoss
Great responses all, many thanks!
Chris