Reconstruction has begun.

[doghows]

Sunday is the big day. The 8.8 is going in for the last time. She's powder coated, painted and assembled.
Last item will be the driveshaft, so I'll measure that up and button up project number 3,247,618 give or take a few! Looking forward to driving her again with her new "butt" lol.

[doghows]

Ok the 8.8" is finally on for the last time. Fits perfect and I used my same wheels and tires! Just need to drop off the driveshaft to get modified, bleed the brakes, and fill up the gear oil.
She'll be on the road again next week!!

[doghows]

Since my wonderful apple products only allow one pic at a time here's a couple more.

[doghows]

And one last angle.

[SmithKid]

Wow! Looking good on a great project, Steve.

[Luva65wagon]

Looking good Steve. I hope it works out well for you.

On another subject we all chatted at the meeting about doing a cruise this spring and floated the Irrigation Festival being the last stop. It was pretty close to the Swap Meet as I recall, so that was a possible hiccup. So - we'll post a thread about it and let everyone ring in if that will work for anyone or everyone and go from there.

[doghows]

Test drive this weekend, dropped of the driveshaft to be adjusted for the new rear! Bleed the brakes, and add gear lube. I hope the weather holds.

[Luva65wagon]

I hope the weather holds.

With my driveways... I always hope the brakes hold.

[doghows]

Ok installed my driveshaft this morning before work. Now to bleed the brakes and fill her up with gear oil! I might just drive her to work tomorrow.
We'll see if I have the energy to do that tonight after work!

[SmithKid]

I miss the signage on the side panels.

[doghows]

Trying to come up with something not so cartoonish.

[Luva65wagon]

How about this? We know how you love your pooch's.

peanuts.jpg

[doghows]

Well it looks like we should call today succesful Saturday.
Took the delivery out on its test drive with the new 8.8" rear axle today. Although a short test drive very nice. She's snaps off the line, and leaves two black lines instead of one. Then I hit the brakes and about put myself into the windshield. The new rear axle has 3:73 gears, posi, 31 spline axles, and disc brakes.
Tomorrow I'll take her on a longer drive to finish seating the brakes, and make sure nothing leaks and everything keep doing what it did today.
Now what to tear apart next?? Hmmmm.

Sorry wrong picture, that's my new security team. My Rotty turned 4 today so we had some of her friends over.

[doghows]

Drove the delivery around this weekend and to work today. Looks like I got exactly what I was looking for.
At 55mph my rpm' are at 17-1800, and at 75mph I'm running right about 2200. She is smooth and much more responsive at those ranges not to mention the added benefit of launching from a dead stop I haven't done this yet but soon. Want to make sure there aren't any gremlins hiding and I blow something up being stupid.
I would sum this up by saying the 8.8" swap was pretty easy and definitely worth the time and effort. For me I was into this swap for about $3-400. Now add $200 for the axle itself so $5-600 total. Money well spent!!

[doghows]

First baby burn out since the swap for the 8.8 rear axle.

Yup it works!