rear diff gear swap?

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Dec 12, 2002 | 05:39 PM

forwardcontrol

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From: Minneapolis

rear diff gear swap?

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

Dec 13, 2002 | 12:32 AM

Boss_358

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From: Benton County, MN

rear diff gear swap?

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.

Dec 13, 2002 | 03:43 PM

forwardcontrol

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From: Minneapolis

rear diff gear swap?

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

Dec 14, 2002 | 02:14 AM

Boss_358

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From: Benton County, MN

rear diff gear swap?

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.

Dec 14, 2002 | 03:08 PM

forwardcontrol

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Freshman User

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From: Minneapolis

rear diff gear swap?

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

Dec 20, 2002 | 08:02 AM

Boss_358

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From: Benton County, MN

rear diff gear swap?

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

Dec 20, 2002 | 09:22 AM

Boss_358

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From: Benton County, MN

rear diff gear swap?

Here is what a Dana 60 looks like.

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

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Dec 23, 2002 | 08:32 PM

Boss_358

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From: Benton County, MN

rear diff gear swap?

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.