thanks guys, i appreciate the replies. wayfarer, are you in roseville, ca? i happen to work in the fine city.
Naw, Central Ory-Gun. The Roseville dealer just has a very handy web site that I like to use as reference.
If your truck is mostly stock you don't need to spend the extra money on an 8¾ assembly, the 8¼ will work fine as long as you get the gear ratio that you need.
The 8.8 Explorer axles seem to be in good supply these days and from what I hear plenty cheap. Yeah, its a Ford but has the right bolt pattern.
Here are some Ford numbers, both 8.8 and 9":
65-66 Mustang 57.25 inches
77-81 Granada/Versailles 58.50 inches
64 Falcon 58.5 inches
66-69 Torino, Ranchero, Fairlane 59.25
67-70 Comet, Cougar, Mustang, 59.25 inches
71-73 Mustang 61.25 inches
70-73 Ranchero, Fairlane 9" 61.25 inches
70-71 Torino 61.25
72 Ford Van 3/4 ton 68 inches
73-86 65.25 inches
57-59 Ranchero and station wagon 57.25 inches (narrowest 9" housing)
66-77 Bronco 58 inches but has 5-on-5 1/2 inch diameter bolt circle
79-93 Mustang 7.5 and 8.8 57 inches
Lincoln Mark7 LSC, SVO Mustang and Fox Body Saleens use a 59.5 inch wide rear axle
94-98 Mustangs use a 58.5 inch wide rear axle
99 and newer Mustangs use a 59 7/8 inch wide rear axle
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