spitsnaugle Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 (edited) Well with wfritts911 gone MIA, I've been left to develop my own Ford 8.8 Swap kit. This thread is the progress of the design and production. Design is based on a 2002 Ford Explorer's 31 spline 8.8 inch independent rear diff. I'm using drive shaft shop stub axles, they're not currently listed on their site, however you can call and order them. *Note* though the ford cobra rear is almost the same, the axle seal diameters are different, and are not interchangeable. At the moment I am prototyping the parts. I have yet to source materials or get quotes from machinists. In the end these should be 6061 Aluminum. Rear mounts. Using Energy Suspensions Urethane bushings for the 240z. 3D printed the prototype to check fitment. There a great bar here in dayton called Proto BuildBar, they have a wall of 3D printers, a 3d scanner, soldering stations and all sorts of electrical supplies, its a geek's heaven. Designed up the mustache bar specifically to the ford explorer's cover. (not the cobra sorry) Then had it cut out on my friend's router table. The front mount is a modified ron tyler mount. I dont have images or photos of it yet. Thats about the progress I have made so far, will keep you all posted! Edited May 17, 2016 by spitsnaugle 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 That's the freakin' balls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted May 16, 2016 Share Posted May 16, 2016 I think you mean Ford 8.8 Diff swap. Anyway, I'll be following this one. I didn't care for the amount of things you have to change out to use Fritt's conversion. My plan was the following: 8.8 Diff, mounts, etc. DSS stub axles 930 CVs Custom length axle shaft And an adapter to go between the 930 CV and the factory stub axle, like you'd use to convert to Z31 CVs. Chequered Flag Joe actually makes that adapter, but only in 39 spline, I believe, and he sells it as part of a kit. I'm interested to see what you come up with. Something a little less spendy would be nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitsnaugle Posted May 17, 2016 Author Share Posted May 17, 2016 I think you mean Ford 8.8 Diff swap. Anyway, I'll be following this one. I didn't care for the amount of things you have to change out to use Fritt's conversion. My plan was the following: I'm interested to see what you come up with. Something a little less spendy would be nice. Diff was implied. (there's two more threads by other users on the swap and neither uses diff in the title ) I am only making a front and rear diff mount for it. Everything else can be bought elsewhere if anyone really needs. Zcardepot has a 27 and 39 spline companion flange. I thought Joe was the source. They also have a much cheaper billet aluminum adapter if you're risky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sectumsempra Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Cool. I was gonna do the same thing. But if you're already working on them, I'll gladly buy your mounts instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sectumsempra Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 I'll add, I think you should go with Delrin. But if not, I can machine some myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewydeeayy Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 THANK GLOB, any ETA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrikeZ Posted May 30, 2016 Share Posted May 30, 2016 Yeeeeeesssss!! Another chance! Stay strong, brother. Very interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitsnaugle Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share Posted May 31, 2016 THANK GLOB, any ETA? No ETA yet, designing the dogleg/drop mounts right now, the originals are in the way of the diff. If the explorer rear cover's mounts were as narrow as the Z car it wouldnt be a problem, but at roughly 14" apart they line right up with the drop mounts for the control arms. I think the cobra's cover would clear without issues, but I've seen enough broken cobra covers to want to avoid that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05plsrt4 Posted June 1, 2016 Share Posted June 1, 2016 What if you incorporate a rear diff cover brace into the design. Then you can use the cobra diff cover and not worry about breaking it. Or go with a Ford Racing cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathByNissan55 Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 How would this compare with the 8.8 from 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII, I know 89-97 will work, but I mean is the differential housing the only thing you're using from the host vehicle? And just for background, I wanted to do this in a 77 280z that I'm in the process of LS/T56 swapping. I was planning on having a drive shaft made at a local axle/shaft shop to mate to my T56. Interested to see where this is going to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeWard Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Interested to see where this goes too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitsnaugle Posted June 16, 2016 Author Share Posted June 16, 2016 Done a quick 180° in a different mount design. Flat 1/4" plate, sandwiched between differential case and rear cover. Should allow any ford 8.8 rear to be used regardless of rear cover design. I've drawn it out, should get it off the waterjet next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokehouse_83 Posted June 18, 2016 Share Posted June 18, 2016 Great idea. Should help strengthen the case too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRAYZ Posted June 20, 2016 Share Posted June 20, 2016 following.. Im in for one!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted June 21, 2016 Share Posted June 21, 2016 I'm sure you already thought of this, but: If you are gonna take the cover off to install or remove the diff, be sure that you have good access to the fill plug and drain plug. It sucks to install a dry diff only to realize that you have no way to fill it. I would never do such a thing..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gijohnny23 Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 Following Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnydatsun Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 I'm in for sure 100% for whatever u make!!!!! been waiting like 1 year to here from will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowoctupus Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 FYI, ZCar Depot 8.8 has put together a mount that is a perimeter cover mount, similar to what you mentioned making, I believe. Flat 1/4" plate, sandwiched between differential case and rear cover. Should allow any ford 8.8 rear to be used regardless of rear cover design. Still not 100% sold on their front mount though.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spitsnaugle Posted September 21, 2016 Author Share Posted September 21, 2016 Sorry all, I'm extremely slow with remodeling my home at the same time. I'm not sold on their front mount at all. And I dont like that it requires buying a new rear cover. I was working with technoversions to revise their front mount for my use. I currently have my rear mount all designed up, but havent had a chance to make a test fit, check driveline angles to then figure out the proper height for the front. I could use a couple measurements for a double check if anyone is interested. I have a 71 240z, so I'd like to know if any later years vary- I want to know the distance from center line of the mustache bushing mount bolt to the center line of the axel. Accuracy is key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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