Swapping a 9" for a 8.8
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Junior User
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From: On the Alabama River
Swapping a 9" for a 8.8
I have an 86 F150 4x4 with a leaky 9" rearend that is making noise. I am either going to have to rebuild the 9" and as I understand it can be a pain or replace it. Some of these trucks came with 8.8 and all of the newer ones have them. Has anyone swapped a 9" for a newer 8.8? I like the idea of possibly getting rear disk brakes too.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Memphis, TN
Swapping a 9" for a 8.8
You can't put a disk 8.8" on your truck without swapping to the '97-current 16" rims and redrilling your front hubs for that lug pattern, so just look for an '87-96 8.8" and bolt it in. Even the e-brake cables will work. 3.55 is the most common ratio, but I prefer 3.08.
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Junior User
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From: On the Alabama River
Swapping a 9" for a 8.8
Thanks Steve83. Does anyone know when they started using disk on the rears. Steve I don't mind buying or making adapters for the fronts or rears. I think the difference is mine is a 5 on 5.5 and the newer ones are 5 on 4.5. Somebody let me know if I am wrong.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Memphis, TN
Swapping a 9" for a 8.8
No, the 5 on 4.5 is what Rangers, Mustangs, & some Explorers use. The new fullsize 8.8s use a metric spacing that's slightly less than 5.5", but I can never remember what it is. I have a set of those rims waiting for my 15" tires to wear out; then I'll swap out the axle & drill the fronts.
The rear disks appeared in '97 or '98, but it's still optional today on pickups. Most Expys have them, but their rear suspension is a 4-link coil, so you'd have to do a LOT of mods to fit one of them. The Expy axle tube & axleshafts are MUCH heavier, though...
I've also considered the new 9.75" axle, but they're still WAAAAY too expen$ive.
The rear disks appeared in '97 or '98, but it's still optional today on pickups. Most Expys have them, but their rear suspension is a 4-link coil, so you'd have to do a LOT of mods to fit one of them. The Expy axle tube & axleshafts are MUCH heavier, though...
I've also considered the new 9.75" axle, but they're still WAAAAY too expen$ive.
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Junior User
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From: On the Alabama River
Swapping a 9" for a 8.8
Steve,
Since you have undoubtedly thought about this yourself, you wouldn't happen to know the over all length mount to mount of your 8.8 or 9 whichever you have under the Bronco now.
Since you have undoubtedly thought about this yourself, you wouldn't happen to know the over all length mount to mount of your 8.8 or 9 whichever you have under the Bronco now.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
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From: Memphis, TN
Swapping a 9" for a 8.8
"Overall" usually means hub face to hub face, which is ~65"; the distance between the centers of the spring perches is ~44.75". Those measurements came from the '96 8.8" axle in my garage. 
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From: On the Alabama River
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