rear diff gear swap?

forwardcontrol · #1 (**permalink**) 12-12-2002, 05:39 PM

Hey der-

I have a '68 ford vanette with an 8.8 rear. I am looking for a shop or individual that can change the gears to something higher than 4.56, at least 4.11, maybe 3.8? Do any of yous people know someone? I live in St. Paul.

thanks a billion billion!

Josh Andersen
1968 Ford P-350 Vanette
1966 F-100 (for sale)
1997 ford explorer

Boss_358 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2002, 12:32 AM

You should be able to find a list of places in the phone book under trucks or four wheel drive. Try to find a company that just specializes in driveline and/or trucks. All the places that I know of are located in the NW suburbs. Like AA driveline in Anoka, Hooze in Ham Lake, 4 wheel parts and service in Ham lake and I know of some places in Princeton and Saint Cloud as well. I Know there has to be a lot more, I just don't know Saint Paul very well. I live by Milaca. Are you sure it's an 8.8 axle? Does it it have the removeable center section in the front of the axle instead of a rear cover? If it does it may be an 8 or 9 inch. Just a thought.

forwardcontrol · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2002, 03:43 PM

yes it is a 8.8 ford.
My problem is the size of the van. It is a step van, and it is a bugger finding a place to do it. They dont want to touch it if they can't get it on the lift, seems they forgot how to work from a creeper.... but sometimes it won't fit in the garage door.

I had a place called Standard Truck & Auto do some work on it about a year ago, and they completely ripped me off..

thanks for the names of those places, I'll check them out.

Josh Andersen
www.joshandersen.com
1968 Ford P-350 Vanette
Close Coupled

Boss_358 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2002, 02:14 AM

Standard Auto and Truck in Minneapolis off of Broadway and Washington? I don't deal with them but have gotten parts from Libson which is right around the corner. Thats kind of strange to find an 8.8 in a 68 van. Is this a swap because I though I was sure the 8.8 did not show up until the early 80's.

forwardcontrol · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2002, 03:08 PM

I don't believe there was a swap. It could very well be something else, i have always believed it was an 8.8

Where would an ID tag or stamp be? just somewhere on the housing?

It has a rear cover like the 8.8 does. It is also a one ton van if that matters.

And yes, the Standard Truck by Libson, but that location is actually closed now.

Josh Andersen
www.joshandersen.com
1968 Ford P-350 Vanette
Close Coupled

Boss_358 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-20-2002, 08:02 AM

If its a 1 ton van the 8.8 is out of the question. More than likely you probably have a dana 60.

Boss_358 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-20-2002, 09:22 AM

Here is what a Dana 60 looks like.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=11346&.jpg

forwardcontrol · #8 (**permalink**) 12-22-2002, 05:37 PM

Here are two pics of my rear end.... my vans rear end....
do you think this is a dana 60?

http://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=11406&.jpg
http://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=11407&.jpg

thanks for your knowledge!

Josh Andersen
www.joshandersen.com
1968 Ford P-350 Vanette
Close Coupled

Boss_358 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-23-2002, 08:32 PM

That looks like a Dana 60 too me. It looks just like the picture I posted but aged a little thats all. Some shops may be more knowledgeable on these axles anyways since they are more commonly found in bigger trucks. Bigger than half tons anyways.

Walts52 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-27-2002, 07:59 AM