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I have a chance to get a complete 1993 lightning rearend with all of the rear sway bar for about 50 bucks. Is there anything else I should use from the back of the truck?
I would jump all over that deal. The sway bar and mounts alone would be worth that! Try to grab the springs and shackles too they are probably more tuned toward performance. I think the lightning has leaf springs in the rear still, right? Also did the lightning have rear disc brakes if so you may want to grab master cyl and proportioning valve and calipers.
I just looked up the specs for the Lightning rear looks like 4.10 gears (limited slip) with leaf springs and drum brakes with abs. So no such luck on the cheap disc brake upgrade but if you get the springs you get about a 2 inch drop in the rear suspension. Just make sure that you only use the Ford synthetic lube or an equivalent in the rear end to avoid messing up the limited-slip.
Thanks for the replies.
From what I have read, the axle tubes are thicker and the pumpkin has a finned air cooler. There is not much left to the truck, everything is gone except the rear suspension. I rolled the axle and it feels smooth, no binding. It is drum and positive traction.
My truck is used on remote job sites quite a bit. I do a lot of highway driving and the muddy terrain of job sites. I searched the site and saw that there is no real loss of mileage and I was thinking the positive trac may help with the mud since my truck is only two wheel drive.
Later 80-86s used the 8.8 axle I think, isn't that what the Lightnings used too?
I've seen these lockers called OX Lockers in magazine ads....deactivated, I think you have an open axle, but if you pull a cable, it locks the axle. Only thing is, they are expensive. Very expensive.
I'd be more than happy with a Detroit Locker. Wouldn't it be fun driving around the Walmart parking lot? :P