8.8 build question

[bustedassz28]

hey guys, ive been researching this for awhile now and ive been wondering about using a truing bar or if a jig will work to make sure my axle tubes are straight. I plane on machining my ten bolt tubes down and slipping them into the 8.8 and was thinking as long as they fit tight there would be minimal room for error providing the welding was done correctly to minimize movement. whatcha think? also where would I get a truing bar if needed? any tips/ tricks appreciated.

[94Blackbird]

hey guys, ive been researching this for awhile now and ive been wondering about using a truing bar or if a jig will work to make sure my axle tubes are straight. I plane on machining my ten bolt tubes down and slipping them into the 8.8 and was thinking as long as they fit tight there would be minimal room for error providing the welding was done correctly to minimize movement. whatcha think? also where would I get a truing bar if needed? any tips/ tricks appreciated.

You have to make adapters of some kind, the mustang/crown vic 8.8 axle tubes are slightly larger than the GM 10 bolt axle tubes. What guys who go that route have done is had sleeves made. 1/2 of the sleeve matches the O.D. of the mustang axle tubes, the other 1/2 of the sleeve matches the O.D. of the 10 bolt axle tubes. Then they cut the mustang axle tubes about 6" out from the center section and cut the 10 bolt axle tubes short by 6", then use said sleeves to mate the 10 bolt axle tubes to the mustang center section

When I had mine built, we built a jig based off the original axle, then used that to build the frankenstein axle. I don't recall if we used a truing bar, as this was close to 3 years ago now. I did mine a little differently though, I got the 8.8 out of a ford explorer, had sleeves machined to fit the center section axle tube hole I.D. and the 10 bolt axle tube O.D. This way instead of stubbing 2 axles end to end, they are nested one inside the other and I believe more securely attached.

[bustedassz28]

ok, I gotcha, ive seen that also just trying to keep costs down, im lookin at an explorer rear also, im just really wondering how guys are keeping the tubes straight. I was realy hoping a good jig would work ( ive got more time than money and if I took my time I think I could build a decent jig) this looks like a huge project, it would suck if it turned out all jacked up and crooked.. thx for the reply, anyone else??

[Sahara54]

Remember the explorer rears have offset differentials to the passenger side so new tubes or what 94blackbird said will have to be done.

[firebird_1995]

Lol or you can do what a lot of guys do and just run the axle about 5° off center.... oh yea, seen it done my friend, god awful

[Sahara54]

I have one in my jeep. Tried to drive it from the shop to my house (7 mi) with stock DS. I pulled it out 1/4m from the shop in the snow and went fwd the rest of the way. Tom Woods CV was ordered that night, learned all about driveline angles in a hurry.