8.8 swap
OK since this appears to have all the 8.8 swap experts/installers then I think I will start with my post here first. I had a buddy of mine a few weeks ago pick me up an 8.8 (due to schedule and location I was not able to go pick up myself), anyways I was able to finally pick it up from his house last night - well I get it home and start looking things thru and I see that all the brackets have been cut off - GREAT 1 less thing I have to do but then this is when it all starts going south (or so I think) well I look at the axles and they are both the same size so I take a tape measurer to them and I see that they are both 30" long. now reading thru this post I know for a fact that 1 is supposed to be shorter than the other - so that's my 1st issue. so then something tells me to measure the diff and I do and I see that it is approximately 48" from the inside of the flange on one side to the inside of the flange on the other side. AGAIN reading thru this post I know that the rear diff is supposed to be about 59". so then I measure each axle tube on the diff and its approximately 16" each....so obviously I will NOT be able to use the OEM 30" 31 spline axles...... hmmmmm as I am measuring the axles tubes I notice that the axles tubes are also welded to the diff housing as well. WHAT A KICK TO THE GUT I THINK I GOT GOT!!!!!! This was a sale on CL and it was only advertised as an complete 8.8 with 3.73 gears and axles but no backing plates - nothing about being cut and shortened, etc but I was so beat tired last night and after seeing this I was disheartened to continue so I gave it up for the night.
BUT me and my buddies have this saying " God looks out for Babies and Fools"
and with that in mind I started thinking - well maybe this will be sheer blind luck with this diff already cleaned up, cut and welded. So now my question is:
1. Will I be able to use this rear diff with an overall measurement of approximately 48" into a 73 Dart Swinger???
2. With this rear diff cut at this overall length I can only assume that I will have to get custom length axles?
3. anything else I should consider before I continue with either using or scrapping this 48" rear diff??
Appreciate all the help in advance. and here's a few pics to see if you guys see or pic up on anything my novice eyes did not see.
OK since this appears to have all the 8.8 swap experts/installers then I think I will start with my post here first. I had a buddy of mine a few weeks ago pick me up an 8.8 (due to schedule and location I was not able to go pick up myself), anyways I was able to finally pick it up from his house last night - well I get it home and start looking things thru and I see that all the brackets have been cut off - GREAT 1 less thing I have to do but then this is when it all starts going south (or so I think) well I look at the axles and they are both the same size so I take a tape measurer to them and I see that they are both 30" long. now reading thru this post I know for a fact that 1 is supposed to be shorter than the other - so that's my 1st issue. so then something tells me to measure the diff and I do and I see that it is approximately 48" from the inside of the flange on one side to the inside of the flange on the other side. AGAIN reading thru this post I know that the rear diff is supposed to be about 59". so then I measure each axle tube on the diff and its approximately 16" each....so obviously I will NOT be able to use the OEM 30" 31 spline axles...... hmmmmm as I am measuring the axles tubes I notice that the axles tubes are also welded to the diff housing as well. WHAT A KICK TO THE GUT I THINK I GOT GOT!!!!!! This was a sale on CL and it was only advertised as an complete 8.8 with 3.73 gears and axles but no backing plates - nothing about being cut and shortened, etc but I was so beat tired last night and after seeing this I was disheartened to continue so I gave it up for the night.
BUT me and my buddies have this saying " God looks out for Babies and Fools"
and with that in mind I started thinking - well maybe this will be sheer blind luck with this diff already cleaned up, cut and welded. So now my question is:
1. Will I be able to use this rear diff with an overall measurement of approximately 48" into a 73 Dart Swinger???
2. With this rear diff cut at this overall length I can only assume that I will have to get custom length axles?
3. anything else I should consider before I continue with either using or scrapping this 48" rear diff??
Appreciate all the help in advance. and here's a few pics to see if you guys see or pic up on anything my novice eyes did not see.