Pinto Car Club of America

I'm installing an 8 inch rearend (4 lug) because I found a cheap LSD for it. Just as I was tightening the final bolt the third member popped out of the vice and landed on the floor, breaking the bearing end cap. Now I need a new third member. I was told that all fords that use the removable 8 inch third member are cast the same and are interchangable. Anybody else know this to be true?  If it is true what is the most likely vehicle that I could get a high gear ratio out of? Thanks.
Keith

Do you have any pics of the damage? Repairing it may be cheaper...depending on how much damage you did.

All 8" third members will interchange, but the later ones from a Mustang II have several ribs cast on the outside of the case that (MABY) makes them stronger. If you have to buy one, get the later one.

As you can see it is broke right through the anchor bolt on that side. Any idea which card are the most likely to offer the higher gear ratios? Maybe a Pic up with a 4:10 or something. does the Courier Use the 8" rear end?

The lowest gears installed in an 8 IIRC are 3.55's. and they are rare as hens teeth.

Any mustang II 8 or Pinto 8" will do. The earlier falcon, mustang, etc ones will bolt up phyically as well, but they have the "weaker" housings. Really they are not much weaker they just look it. The 8 in 90% of the time will blow out in the pinion support area near the ring.

If you can find a late model pinto with a v6 in it , then they most of the time had a 3.40 in it. I got one myself.

Remember the courier was a imported truck and the 8 was a usa designed rear. So no i do not think that they had one.

If you just get a case ,youll have to reset all the gear mesh ,backlash, and coast etc again.

good luck with it!