Please check my check list

[82LTDQS]

I will be starting my complete rear end swap this weekend. I want rear disks, limited slip, and 3.73 gears for my below listed vehicle. I don’t want to mess with the rear end that’s currently in my car now because I want to keep driving it until the very day of the transplant. I’m going to pull the rear end from a donor car from the junk yard. I will purchase new aftermarket 3.73 gears and have it all rebuilt and put together by a shop. I will do the swap in my garage when the rear end is done and I get it home.

Now, I have made a CHECK LIST to take with me to the junk yard so I can pull the correct rear end. I was going to scan it for all to see, but I’m lazy, so I will just type it out. Please look it over and see if I missed anything. Please advise if anyone has any comments or concerns. Here it is:

1. Find any 1992-1997 vehicle with a panther platform.
2. Make sure it has rear disks.
3. Check the door sticker and find the code for limited slip (m,z,e,or k)
regardless of gear ratio since I’m putting the aftermarket 3.73's in.
4. Check the metal axle tag. Make sure the is an "L" in the
ratio (ie. 3L08 not 3.08. Again regardless of ratio.)
5. Make sure it’s an 8.8 on the axle tag.
6. Take all control arms and sway bar if any. This is so I can clean them up
and put some poly bushings in them.

Anything I should keep in mind about the driveshaft??

**** I know there is more stuff I have to do to the brake lines and stuff, but
this list is ONLY my guide to find the correct rear end. I will deal with the rest later at the house.

Thanks

[82LTDQS]

Oh, and the above information was obtained from the stickies, previous posts, and you fine people. I just want to make sure one last time.

[Lincolnmania]

the 92-97 rear swaybars are crap.....use the arms that are on your frame and get the poly bushing kit for the 92-97 car.......if you dont already have one, try to find a box pi rear bar...........make sure to save the parking brake cables too
whatever rear you harvest make sure you know what yr it was and pi or non pi when you go to get new brake pads

[P72Ford]

Sometimes the tags lie. You don't care about the ratio, but you can check that the rear is a TL by raising the rear off the ground, and spinning one wheel. If the other wheel doesn't move, or spins the opposite way, its an open carrier. If it moves in the same direction, it's a TL.

If you can't raise the rear, pull the cover and look at the carrier.

[gadget73]

Traction locks are a bit uncommon in aero rears, so you might have to do some looking.

[82LTDQS]

Good point P72Ford and Gadget. I will take my time and check as many bone yards as I can. Now, lets say I find a Limited sliop with drums. Should I snatch it up???? I want the limited slip more then the disks.

[Lincolnmania]

if it were me on a low budget?
i would find a k code (3.55 trac lock) out of a box wagon
harvest the rear disc goodies
put it all together and install it

[82LTDQS]

Doesnt sound bad. The 3.55 are pretty close to 3.73 huh??

[82LTDQS]

You mean

if it were me on a low budget?
i would find a k code (3.55 trac lock) out of a box wagon
harvest the rear disc goodies
put it all together and install it

Ok, by harvest the disc brak goodies, you mean: the axles, backing plate, all brake components, hoses, and cables??

[Lincolnmania]

you do not need the axles

[85crownHPP]

you dont need the axles.. just take everything you can unbolt from each side

[82LTDQS]

Ok, dont take the sxles, BUT I thought I had to take the axles out to remove the stuff the rear disc bolts to.

[82LTDQS]

So if I find a K code rear end, just find any panther with rear discs and take the stuff. any partucular years???

[82LTDQS]

I did research for the total rear end change not the brakes only. I dont know what rear disk brakes interchange with what?

[Lincolnmania]

yes you need to remove the axles to remove the backing plates.......the 83-89 rear axle assy is narrower than the 90-97 axle by one inch, so you cannot use the newer axles anyway