This is topic rearend swap in 86 lx in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by BG50rider (Member # 5273) on :
 
I have an 86 lx with the v6 in it. i plan on motor swapping later on down the road, but currently want to start planning and shopping around for the right stuff to convert the rearend to an 8.8 along with swapping it out to 5 lug in the process. What's the easiest route to take to simplify the process and knock out both things at one? TIA for any info!
 
Posted by 89bluenotch (Member # 7454) on :
 
Easiest way would be to get a 8.8 rear end then get 5 lug ranger axels or buy one that's already 5 lug
 
Posted by topnotcht-top (Member # 9599) on :
 
talk to a 5 lug conversion pro his name is mustangguy tim he knows his 5-LUG STUFF for sure hit him up at 209-472-7669 he can help you out bro
 
Posted by x42bnx (Member # 9529) on :
 
get a sn95 rear end and call it a day.
 
Posted by 90FoX (Member # 1974) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by x42bnx:
get a sn95 rear end and call it a day.
OP - don't do this ^^^ unless you have chosen a set of wheels. the sn95 rear end is wider than a fox rear end and you may have problems fitting wheels with the wider sn95 rear end. stick with fox length. [patriot]
 
Posted by 89bluenotch (Member # 7454) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by x42bnx:
get a sn95 rear end and call it a day.
There is also a lot more involved with the sn95 rear he said easiest way....
 
Posted by BG50rider (Member # 5273) on :
 
yeah...I was thinking to possibly find the thunderbird 8.8 for the gearing. will it accept the ranger axels as well?
 
Posted by sydewayzLX50 (Member # 10217) on :
 
Do you want rear drum or rear disc?
How wide are the rims youre gonna put in the rear? 8,9,or 10 inch?

If you know the answers to these 2 questions its easy to choose which route to go
 
Posted by BG50rider (Member # 5273) on :
 
I would like to have rear disc if it's not THAT much more expensive.

As for the wheels, the widest I would probably go would be somewhere around 9-9.5" wide.
 
Posted by RRRCobraSC281 (Member # 7086) on :
 
I'd get a SN95 rearend and see about getting some ranger/Aerostar axles to swap. With a SN95 rearend you get calipers, rotors, Caliper flange bracket, and anti-moen brackets. You could modify the flange brackets to reuse them, or buy the North Racecar brackets.

Either way is not difficult. And getting the SN95 rearend with give you most of the stuff you need for your 5 lug rear disc set-up.
 
Posted by 86redGT (Member # 6961) on :
 
I went a super circumvented route and bought a Thunderbird tourbocoupe rear-end, it already had 3.73's when i bought it, disk breaks and was only about 3/4's of an inch wider in total than my stock one.

I bought FRPP 5 lug axles and drilled out my rotors to accept 5 lug and it has been working fine for about 2 years now, i have even track raced it. All told it only cost me about $200, if you decide to go this route be ready for some pretty hefty modifying to make it work.
 
Posted by BG50rider (Member # 5273) on :
 
Thanks for the added input. I'll start searching around for some donor vehicles and go from there. Appreciate all the help.
 




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