My friend's 84 Bronco rather decisively lunched its 8.8 rear axle. Rather than spend money repairing the 8.8, we decided to get a 9" from another truck. We've found a donor (82 F-150) and a professional mechanic friend is going to lend us a cordless impact wrench and whatever impact sockets we need to take to the junkyard and remove the fasteners with. He will also be allowing us to use his lift and shop to perform the axle swap, which should make this easier.

Unfortunately, I forgot to measure the bolts on the donor truck and my mechanic friend (understandably) doesn't want to lend out more of his expensive impact sockets than he absolutely has to so as to minimize the risk of them being lost or stolen at the junkyard. Does anyone know what size sockets I will need to remove the 9" rear end from a 1982 F-150? I'm asking about the axle U-bolt nuts and any other large fastener I may have forgotten.

 

Not a bronco or 84 but can check my 81 F100's to see what size they are when I get he to night.

Also does that jy rear have the same gear ratio as the 8.8 to match the front axle if not don't use 4x4.
Dave - - - -

 

Yeah, that should be the same - thanks for looking.

It doesn't have the same ratio as the front, but he's planning on re-gearing the truck this fall anyway, when money should be far less tight - he had a bunch of surprise bills appear all at once. Right now it just has to be driveable so his landlord will get off his case. I already cautioned him about engaging 4x4 with mismatched axle ratios and he understands that this would be an expensive way to convert the truck back into a boulder.

 

Ok I came up with 21mm fits nice.
A 13/16" impact socket fits tight and not on all the way. I am sure I used the 13/16" on my gun and they would not budge. I cant remember if I tried a breaker bar or not but I cut mine off with a saws-all.


If you do cut them stand clear as they store energy and snap!


When he gets the good rear housing in, pull the front drive so there is no way to break anything.
Dave ----

 

I have a cordless angle grinder.
... and a ten pack of .045 wiz wheels


Bring a spare battery, some cutting oil and a large (3'?) breaker bar.
Lube them up and get the nuts started off with the bar, otherwise you will kill the cordless gun before the job is done.

Maybe you're in aridzona and these parts are not all rusted solid, IDK.

 

Angle grinders, torches or any powered cutting device is prohibited at this junkyard after idiots ruined it for everyone. Otherwise, this wouldn't even be a question.

I'm in Texas, most of the time these parts are stiff but not rusted solid.

Thanks for reminding me of the breaker bar, I'll definitely give that a shot first.

 

Following up here - the 21mm did it and we were easily able to remove the axle. Well, all except the last U-bolt, which resisted the impact and had to be turned by breaker bar a little at a time all the way to the end. Thanks to everyone for the help.

 

Good to hear it worked out.
Now pull that front drive shaft before you go and put that rear in if is has different ratios.


Now let me go pull the rear springs on my parts truck for the project truck.
Dave ----