I know alot of you have the 8 inch in your pintos, what have you done for limited slip or lockers? I want to get a limited slip for mine and 4.11 gears but that will cost $650 just for parts! Anyone have a source for just a center section thats ready to go? What have you guys done? Just hate to have to spend that much but I can't find a done one for any cheaper! Thanks for any help! :hypno:
Hallelujah, there 289pinto, Ask and you shall receive, I have heard your dilemma, I too was at that crossroad. I was all for having a 8" built but then discovered that having one the way I wanted it would cost me $750.00 or way more...!!! and I do mean way more... :hypno: I wanted a 3:73 or 4:10 rear ratio, heavy duty axles, limited slip and disc brakes and 5 lug. then luckily before I got started on the 8" I found that a ford explorer rear could be modded to fit the pinto, it's actually very easy. it has all the bells and whistles I wanted, and you can pick one up in a wrecking yard for about $350.00, awesome. please read the following threads for your answere...
http://www.fordpinto.com/pinto-faq/narrowing-a-8-8-explorer-rear/
http://www.fordpinto.com/your-project/72-pinto-'hot-rod'-overhaul/
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Explorer8_8.html
I love the idea and considered an explorer rear but knew it was to wide, not knowing how easy it was to shorten now I'm all about it again. EXCEPT for the fact that I want to keep my 4 lug rims that I have because I paid $700 for them a year ago and love em. Soooo My next step will be measuring out the 4 lug pattern in the axle flange to see if I can drill it in without hitting an exsisting hole. I could weld a hole if one does interfere. The best part about this is the yard I go to I could find a exploder rear for $150 all day long and I'm sure I could find a 4.10 lsd. Awesome! Thanks Don for the links!! Love it!
Glad I could Help. yep, it just doesn't make since to upgrade the 8" when you get all/everything you want in a stock explorer rear for way less money and its a better rear, stronger and less friction. changing it to 4 lug shouldn't be a problem and it sounds like the price is right in your area. :tgif:
to bad you got those fancy 4 lug rimms, most people go five lug due to the vast variety of five lug wheels. but hey, it's all good. the Explorer 8.8 swap is a win win situation no matter how many lugs you put on it.
I should have looked in the future a little farther and thought about a 5 lug upgrade but oh well, shouldn't have a problem going to 4 on the explorer axle. Not afraid of strength of 4 lug either. Not like I have 800 hp! :hypno: As far as the disc brakes do I have to do anything with the porportioning valve or just leave everything as is?
I'm not sure if you will or not. on my build, I'm going with this kit for the front, in fact I just ordered it.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mustang-II-Complete-11-Inch-Brake-Kit-Ford-Bolt-Pattern,2008.html
11" rotors on the front, the rotors on the explorer rear are 11.25" it appears to be a pretty good match. I expect to use the stock proportioning valve.
try this guy. i have got parts from him before and seems fair.. T.J.Rebert 610-485-4858.. he does 8 and 9 inch diffs
I went with the 8 inch out of a 1978 mustang II in my swap its a direct fit with absolutely no issues at all,3.00 gears to start i will upgrade down the road lower gears / mini spool / ect / pulled the old 6.75 and bolted in the 8 in under 2 hours very very easy swap.I personally didnt want to get into all the mods that are involved in putting in a explorer or the t-bird 8.8 in mine and trust me its not as easy as it sounds and i retain the 4 lugs wheels you dont need the 5 lug 4 lugs are plenty,I have friends that have Fox body stangs and there turning high 12's with only 4 lug rearends.....id keep the 8 inch if it were me....Just my opinion....fomocolover
If you put a disc brake rear you will need to gut the stock prop valve and use a adjustable one for the rear brake line.
I'm going to run a larger bore Mastercylinder with mine too out of a Lincoln i cant member the year or exact model but I'm sure i could find that out. But that's prolly not needed i just want it.
Quote from: Bigtimmay on June 25, 2011, 02:51:46 AM
If you put a disc brake rear you will need to gut the stock prop valve and use a adjustable one for the rear brake line.
I'm going to run a larger bore Mastercylinder with mine too out of a Lincoln i cant member the year or exact model but I'm sure i could find that out. But that's prolly not needed i just want it.
Thanks Timmay, I didn't know if a new adjusable would be needed or not, just thought Id try the stock one and go from there... you'll have to tell me how that gutting deal works...
I have no problem with an 8" they are a good rear. I have one in my 76 Capri. there just so dang expensive to rebuild/upgrade. the 8.8 has everything I want, no rebuild/upgrade needed and pretty darn cheap for what your getting.
To gut a prop valve you just unscrew the plug in the end of it and remove everything thats inside of it then put the plug back in. When your done all it should be is a distrabution block.
If you dont do this since drums require more pressure then disc the rear brakes will lock up before the front brakes and well that can end up bad since it would be just like if you yanked the E-brake before you hit the brakes. Which is also the reason you want and adjustable rear prop valve so you can fine tune it so the front brakes grab before the rear.
Quote from: fomocolover on June 25, 2011, 01:36:26 AM
I went with the 8 inch out of a 1978 mustang II in my swap its a direct fit with absolutely no issues at all,3.00 gears to start i will upgrade down the road lower gears / mini spool / ect / pulled the old 6.75 and bolted in the 8 in under 2 hours very very easy swap.I personally didnt want to get into all the mods that are involved in putting in a explorer or the t-bird 8.8 in mine and trust me its not as easy as it sounds and i retain the 4 lugs wheels you dont need the 5 lug 4 lugs are plenty,I have friends that have Fox body stangs and there turning high 12's with only 4 lug rearends.....id keep the 8 inch if it were me....Just my opinion....fomocolover
I have the mustang II 8 inch already and like i said its just to exspensive to upgrade. The explorer rear will be an easy swap for me.
Where are adjustable porportioning valves availble?
speedway motors sells them, I'm sure summit and jegs sell them too. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Proportioning-Valves,23498.html