65-66 Mustang Diff into 1967 Dart

[scrappydoo]

Hi, I searched this here but couldn't find anything.

Now being in Australia makes it virtually impossible to find a mopar diff of any strength.
I've contacted Dr. Diff and it will cost $2k to assemble a 8.75" lsd then I have to ship it over.

It will be easier and cheaper for me to source a ford 9" or 8" diff locally.

From my research a 65-66 mustang diff is identical to the dart.
43" spring perch, 57.25" drum to drum.

I would've thought this would be a common conversion if it was so straight forward.
Am I missing something or would using a 65-66 mustang diff work as a bolt in?
Thanks.

 

[67Dart273]

The thing you are missing is that (here) all the Poontang freaks have scarfed up all the Ferd 9" 'stang axles!!! But make SURE it is actually a 9" There is a smaller 8 X something Ferd rear that is also a third member year. You can Google around and find this

I'm running a Lincoln Versailles axle in mine, drops right in. This was made for a very few years on the Monarch/ Granada platform, and the Versailles as well as a few of the Monarchs have rear disk brakes. I don't recommend it though (& don't know if they even exist down there) because the disk brake parts are hard to get.

 

[scrappydoo]

So that is a positive that the 65-66 mustang diff is a direct fit?

You have to remember that we just don't have a great selection of diffs in Australia.

All the local so called muscle cars had borg warners or salisburys. About the same strength as the 7.25".

I can get 8x" from a mustang 2.79:1 for $400 locally, then I can fit a lsd to for another $500 or so.

 

[67Dart273]

I'm pretty sure. I believe the Versaille axle I have is about 3/4 wider than the 7 1/4 which came out, easily made up with wheels. I had to shim the perches for pinion angle, that might be a particular spring setup. Not that big a deal if you have to rework the perches.

 

[scrappydoo]

I've located a 9" open complete diff with brakes out of a 57-59 ford.
These are a straight boltin from what I have read, $1000.
Add a trutrac center for another $500 and hopefully it will be good to go.

 

[360duster]

Just look for a rear from a ford explorer, it´s an 8.8". Do you have them down under?

If you are able to find one look for the sticky here, the swap is relatively easy!

Michael

 

[scrappydoo]

We do have explorers here but not many, finding a rear end would be harder than finding a 9".
Everyone here knows what it costs to ship a diff out from the usa and price their diffs accordingly.
I've been quoted $3000 for a reco 8.75 suregrip with disk setup locally supplied.

 

[scrappydoo]

I bought the the 9".
It is out of a locally delivered 1957 tank fairlane.
It has the large axle bearings and 2.91:1 ratio.

 

[Abodybomber]

You scored,that is the hard one to find!You found a rare one.

 

[Powerflite]

An annoyance with running a '64-'66 Mustang 8" axle is that they have a tapered axle housing. It gets small right where they bolt to the springs and uses small bearings. You have to use small U-bolts and the Ford plates to hold it. The old '57 9" like yours (and others) doesn't have this problem of course.