I recently purchased a 66 Econo van with a 240 and I believe an 8" rear end.
Did the 240 come with an 8" or 9" rear ?
I have a chance to get an 8.8" with disc brakes.
I'm planning on putting a 5.0L in the vehicle.
Which rear is stronger ?

Any feedback would be appreciated...

 

I would go with the 8.8 over the 8. They are stronger and the discs are a plus as well.

 

if it came with a 240, it will have the 9 inch rear.

 

Thank You for the info.

This is going to be a cool site to learn about my
(guys think) cool looking, (gals think) ugly Econoline pick-up truck.

 

The ladies are liking my '63 just fine.

 

My wife has yet to ride in my truck. When she does she probally won't like it because you sit right up front and everything seems faster.

 

Tell her she will be the first one to get to the scene of the Head-on Collision !!!!

 

all you gotta do is take her to wally world and pull in a slot against another car, that will make her suck air!

my wife actually fell asleep on a trip into missouri in mine. course she has been a few thousand miles as copilot now. she still doesnt like the trips thru n.e. arkansas/s.w. mo., says the curves make her seasick!

 

Yes my wife usually falls a sleep on road trips, But I think when I get the truck restored and on the road again she will not fall a sleep. Seeing that pavement passing under the truck will probally keep her awake. She will make me for sure install seat belts. I know for her a lap belt would not be enough. I hate to try and put in shoulder style seat belts.

 

My wife named my pick-up, as seen in my user name.
Now everyone calls the truck that name. She showed pictures of the truck
and asked all of the guys she works with what they thought of it.
They all think it's really cool looking. But my wife and daughter think it's the ugliest
thing they have ever seen.
So, as dads go, I told my daughter not to knock the vehicle she will be driving to
school. She now wants to dis-own me !!!

 

Even the 8" differential is quite strong. It was used behind 351W engines in cars. The big advantage of the 8" and 9" differentials over most others is that they have an extra pinion gear support bearing on the inner end of the pinion, which reduces deflection of the ring and pinion gear under heavy load.

 

Hey, figured this might just fit in. Purchased a 66 Econoline Pickup last week. It was delivered, now I know why. Drove it around the block and it seemed to run OK. The owner put in a 302 with a C4 automatic. OK. Needs a lot of work and is something I was going to do some time any way. Problem is when I tried to get it into the shop, the driver's side rear wheel locked up and the passanger side rear wheel dug a very deep hole. Got it into the shop, removed both rear wheels and they will turn to a point. Seems like at one point everything just kind of binds up. Anyway, guess I need to tear the rear end apart and see what gives. How do I tell what rear end is in the truck?
Thanks

 

Three different rear axles were used. Ford 9 inch, Spicer 44 or the 7 1/4" integral.

Look on your trucks Warranty Plate located on the left door face near the latch.

Post the code you find under AXLE.