So the previous owner bent the rear end, and I am dealing with it 2 years later.
I am finding trouble finding rear ends, so I have 2 options right now. A guy 250 miles away is selling his with 4.10s and hotchkiss adjustable trailing arms for $450. Unknown miles, it wasn't from his car, he bought it for a project. The trip would be another 200 in gas.
The other option is going to a salvage yard near ish to me and seeing what they have. I am almost certain that I will likely find nothing but rusting rear ends there, and who knows the condition of the differential and gears. $150
Below I have posted the pictures the guy has sent me of the one with 4.10s.
What would you guys do? I hate rust, but know nothing about the mileage of the rear axle that the guy is selling.
StangDude, get on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist to look around for what you want.
Depending on what you intend to use the car for is going to determine what you need. Do you have an overdrive transmission? Will it be on the highway? Etc.
Having that in mind will save you from discovering that a 302 (or 289?) doesn't like to run 80 mph with a 1:1 transmission all day long, using 4:10's.
Axles also come in an awful lot of different lengths with different perches. Finding an 8" that someone wants to get rid of so they can put in a 9" might be perfect. On the other hand, if you are going racing and putting slicks on this thing, maybe you need a 9".
If the axle you get isn't shiny on the outside, a bit of cleanup and some paint can make it look new without much effort. "Paint it black and put it back!" as they say. So long as it's been under a car with wheels on, it's likely to be in fair shape internally.
Just a very broad guide: best axles for your car are going to be 8", 9" or 8.8". The 8" is probably best for most Mustangs; light and efficient, the 9" steals more power, and is heavier, but strongest of them all, and the 8.8 falls in between.
8.8 uses C-clip retainers which generally have to be fixed if this is to be used on a track, and the perches will be all wrong, so you'd need to do some work to use it. Driveshaft will also need some work to fit with it. A lot of these have off-center pumpkins too, which will put your driveshaft at a weird angle to the car. Decisions decisions.
Do your hunting on the computer and phone before you start driving around only to discover that you're getting something like a truck axle that will never fit your car.
Lol man. It's an 8.8 out of a 2003 mustang. I have tuners to match the 4.10 gears. I am just looking to replace my rear axle... Yes I have searched marketplace. That's where I got this axle from, it's the closest decent one. I am just trying to see if the price point is worth it compared to pulling one out of a car at the yard.
IMO The Ford rear end is very serviceable unit. There is very little that can not be fixed on a rear end with a rebuild kit. For that reason I would:
Always rebuild a salvage yard unit.
Check car-part.com for sample prices.
Rebuilding a rear end is 10 times easier with it off of the car.
IF you are able to do your own work there's a possibility to save some real $$'s.
If the 410's are what you are after then what about transferring the ring and pinion that you have into a salvage yard unit? After rebuild it should be as good as brand new.
Since you are looking for options, consider the cost of a salvage unit, plus rebuild, plus time and compare to the option.
I just got back from a salvage yard, 2 actually, saw 20 v6s today, not a single v8. Every v6 that was there however had extremely rusty housings, at least for my taste.
Figure any rusty rear end I get I am going to sandblast and paint maybe. I just hate rust lol.
I am stumped... I offered the guy $300 and he turned it down. I guess Ill wait until one pops up in my area.
Just to be clear, I don't have 4.10s... I think they would be fun for the summer but I would probably have to put the 3.27s in my current axle in down the road.
My neighbor bent his axles and bought replacements from Brothers Performance. The V6 have 7.5" axle so you don't want one of those anyway. He and his son replaced them.
Yukon sells a 31 spline axle and differential "kit." I have it in my '95 and I think it was around $500.
https://www.cjponyparts.com/yukon-rear-axle-kit-31-spline-5-lug-with-dura-grip-positraction-1999-2004/p/RAK15/
Or are you needig everything, axle tubes and all?
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