Well first off dont have any pics out of the camera yet.
I have put two long days this past weekend into installing a 68 Mustang 8" rear end and springs from the same car.
I have made the frame mounts out of 6x3 1/2" angle iron a friend gave me.
I have wasted all my drill bits now. I need to get a couple of new 3/8" bits to complete the job.
I have about a 1/4" of clearance on the bed sides with the junkyard tires I have and no brake drums.
I have a new set of rims and there better as far as the clearance goes.
I might once its all installed new drums etc put a 1/2" spacer on, not sure yet.
I am using 4 wd mounts from a online shop and free springs from a friend that totally restored a 68 fastback. He said the springs were fine I just went ahead and replaced them.
I bought the rear for $75. I have about $60 in the mounting brackets.
I put one wheel on temporarily and jacked up the weight under the spring and stood on the frame and compressed it. Its going to be low but hopefully not too low.
I like the lowered look of these trucks and its not going to haul any loads.
I only have one side bolted down temporarily until I get some proper bolts and the other side drilled and squared up.
Oh and I know its the car wheel pattern IM switching the front over to disc and the car pattern also.
Well I will get some pics in my gallery soon. You can see the truck IM working on.

 

You need more than 1/4 inch clearance between the tires and bedsides as I think it would rub on corners when the truck leans to one side. An inch would be better. Run the spacers as a last resort. You are better off without them. Wheels with an offset of about 2-3 inches should solve the problem. What is the offset on your new wheels?

 

Well the 1/4" is with huge tires and 8 inch rims. I measured at the time the offset but I dont have the number now.
It should all work out good. I also have a friend giving me another set of rims so I dont know about those yet.
The junkyard tires are way bigger than what IM going to run.

 

Now I know what to do with my 67 Mustang rear springs when I put new ones on the Mustang. These are too stiff so probably will be fine for the 56.

 

I added some pics.

 

Well I had to flip all the L brackets I made. I put the trucks weight down on the springs and it set on the snubbers haha.
I reversed the mounts and its about 18" from the bottom of the frame to the ground.
I will get some pics of the finished product maybe tomorrow.
My por paint is due in and I can dissasemble and paint everything then put it on for good.

 

Going to be a nice ride. Good progress. RUSTY

 

I own both the 8 inch rear end in my Mustang and a 9 inch which is in my truck. If you planning on running some horsepower or torque, the 8 inch will not hold up to the abuse. If you just plan on crusing, you'll be OK. 9 inch, are very tough rear ends, that's why most of the performance cars run them.

 

I have ran 8" fords in 30 years of driving and never had any problems even with 300 plus hp.
If you abuse it it wont hold up no or drag race them continously.

 

If your happy with the 8", I'm not trying to deter you. I think you've done a nice job on the installation. I'm only speaking from experience on my part. I use to bracket race along with street racing not for 30 years but at least 20 years, and I've blown several 8" pumpkin apart including a few expensive locker rear ends. After ruining several rear gears, I changed to the 9" and the problems stopped. The availability of various gearing and locker rear ends are better with the 9" rear ends. I'm only giving suggestions here and it's only my opinion. I love my 8" in the Mustang, but then again, I'm running a 289 with a 2 barrel carb and am lucky to turn tires in the rain with that car.

 

I hear you but like your saying its not gonna be bracket raced.
I have had plenty of fun smoking tires and acting stupid when I was a teen with them.
Speedway motors sells the 8" gear sets now for anybody reading this.

 

C7ZZ-5560-A .. Rear Spring ~ Fit: 1965/68 Mustang / 1967/68 Cougar