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    trac-lock from Mustang

    There is a complete (drum-to-drum) 8.8" 3.08 Trac-lock rear from (poster says) early 70s to early 90s 'Stang on CL this morning at an attractive price. I'm not yet ready to make this upgrade, but it might be too good a deal to pass up. I think I understand correctly that all Ford 8.8 rears are internally the same. My question is how much of this unit I could swap into my GM. Just the center section, center section and axles, or is there a spline difference that would impair my ability to use this rear at all (I seem to recall some discussion of 28 vs. 31 tooth axle splines)? I currently have the 2.73 open diff and I prefer to keep relatively tall gearing, so this would be perfect if it can work. Also, what kind of visual/tactile checks (if any) could I make on this rear axle to determine the condition of the ring and pinion, diff gears, and clutch packs (assume dropping the cover)? If I had to farm out the center section for refurb, roughly how much in hours or dollars are we talking about? Thanks.

    Scott
    2003 Grand Marquis LS Premium White/Light Flint Leather - "Moby Dick". Box stock for now.

    #2
    just the center's guts and you would have to re-shim everything in the process to get everything lined up right. our cars have 28 spline axles as well. The axle casings do not remove from the center without serious grinding and welding, so just swapping the whole center section over would not be worth it. as far as checks for quality... no leaks first off (that should be a given) and moving one part should allow all parts to move to some degree (no binding) and there should not be any sounds of crunching or points of resistance (spot in the movement when it gets harder to rotate). That's all I can think of.

    Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -- Albert Einstein
    rides: 93 Crown Vic LX (The Red Velvet Cake), 2000 Crown Vic base model (Sandy), 2003 Expedition (the vacation beast)
    Originally posted by gadget73
    ... and it should all work like magic and unicorns and stuff.
    Originally posted by dmccaig
    Overhead, some poor bastards are flying in airplanes.

    Comment


      #3
      You'd be better off buying a brand new rebuilt diff. The rebuid kits cost around $130. Plus whatever you'd pay for the diff.
      You can get a new diff for around $200.
      The one I pulled from the junkyard had recently been rebuilt, so I lucked out. I also kept my 2.73s. I like my mileage. I threw away the 3.55s that were on that cop car I pulled it from. Oh well. I don't need 3.55s in my daily driver. Because, that's what the Marauder is for.

      -ryan s.
      08 Lincoln Navigator L - 233k
      03 Mercury Marauder- 63k
      97 Ford Crown Victoria HPP "Tank of Justice III" (TOJ3) - 194k -->578.9 miles on ONE tank of gas<--
      94 BMW 325i Convertible - 135k
      73 VW Super Beetle "Bunky" <----- Wifey's
      12 Mini Cooper S - 90k <---- Wifey's
      Originally posted by pantera77
      Well my buddy tells him he knows exactly who loves buying shitboxes.

      Comment


        #4
        If you're putting this rear end in a whale, I would suggest getting a complete whale rear end in the junkyard which already has the gear and trac-lok you want.

        Comment


          #5
          There isn't anything swapable between an early 70s and a 90's mustang....There were 4 different rears.... 8", 9", 7.5" and 8.8" And the suspensions were completely different. The 79+ were 4 link, the older ones were leaf spring.

          79-85 used a 7.5 and 86+ V8 cars use an 8.8, 4 and 6 cylinder from 79-up use a 7.5.

          Just make sure you know what you are looking at...
          Builder/Owner of Badass Panther Wagons

          Busy maintaining a fleet of Fords

          Comment


            #6
            Just buy a new diff and keep your gears. It'll save you in the long run. Why would you put a 15+ year old rear end in your 03? Plus the 03's have disc brakes.
            Well, everything from 92+ has disc brakes.

            -ryan s.
            08 Lincoln Navigator L - 233k
            03 Mercury Marauder- 63k
            97 Ford Crown Victoria HPP "Tank of Justice III" (TOJ3) - 194k -->578.9 miles on ONE tank of gas<--
            94 BMW 325i Convertible - 135k
            73 VW Super Beetle "Bunky" <----- Wifey's
            12 Mini Cooper S - 90k <---- Wifey's
            Originally posted by pantera77
            Well my buddy tells him he knows exactly who loves buying shitboxes.

            Comment


              #7
              Thanks for the advice and education. I passed on this item - seller didn't seem real sure what he had, and I sure don't know enough to make up the difference. I'll continue to look based on the advice given here. I like the car pretty well as it is, so I'm not in a tremendous hurry.

              -VG
              2003 Grand Marquis LS Premium White/Light Flint Leather - "Moby Dick". Box stock for now.

              Comment


                #8
                agree on buying a new traction lock. Between the price of a used one, the rebuild kit, and the time to put it together its just not worth it to go the used route. When the kits were 50 bucks and the carrier was like 50, it made sense if you did the job yourself but not anymore.
                86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                Originally posted by phayzer5
                I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                Comment


                  #9
                  if you must use a used tracloc, id go looking for a newer limo or 90s towncar those arew the esiest ones i have found for k code axles. i still havnt ripped mine apart but judging from the wieght im almost positive it has a 31 spline axle, but dont quote me on it.
                  89 townie, mild exhuast up grades, soon to have loud ass stereo....

                  Comment


                    #10
                    yeah limo units are 31 spline. Can't use one of those in a stock rear though.
                    86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                    5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                    91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                    1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                    Originally posted by phayzer5
                    I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                    Comment


                      #11
                      but you can swap the entire axle over with little issue... just gotta bend new brake lines.

                      Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -- Albert Einstein
                      rides: 93 Crown Vic LX (The Red Velvet Cake), 2000 Crown Vic base model (Sandy), 2003 Expedition (the vacation beast)
                      Originally posted by gadget73
                      ... and it should all work like magic and unicorns and stuff.
                      Originally posted by dmccaig
                      Overhead, some poor bastards are flying in airplanes.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by gadget73 View Post
                        yeah limo units are 31 spline. Can't use one of those in a stock rear though.
                        you can if you swap the whole axle, my car is proof of that. it far easier to swap the axle than swap gears for sure.
                        89 townie, mild exhuast up grades, soon to have loud ass stereo....

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Its an 03. The rear end is from a way older mustang. Like he said, drum to drum. Im sure the ABS controller/system would approve. And the Watts linkage.

                          I know the axle swaps are easy on the older models.
                          Either buy a new diff, or a whale axle in the junkyard. I believe that would be your best option.

                          -ryan s.
                          08 Lincoln Navigator L - 233k
                          03 Mercury Marauder- 63k
                          97 Ford Crown Victoria HPP "Tank of Justice III" (TOJ3) - 194k -->578.9 miles on ONE tank of gas<--
                          94 BMW 325i Convertible - 135k
                          73 VW Super Beetle "Bunky" <----- Wifey's
                          12 Mini Cooper S - 90k <---- Wifey's
                          Originally posted by pantera77
                          Well my buddy tells him he knows exactly who loves buying shitboxes.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Easy advice just save your dime for "New" kit... Its cheaper in the long run and you will know what you have in it !

                            Comment

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