Reconstruction has begun.

[Luva65wagon]

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

Yup it works!

"Only need to replace my plate-glass windows now...."



Two black marks is good.

Question for you. Are you using 5 on 4.5" wheels all the way around - so this 8.8" is that? Not planning to go there, but maybe the rear-disc setup on yours will work on an 8" small-tube. I know at some point the 5 on size changed to something metric or something, but early Ford stuff was 5 on 4.5".

[doghows]

Yes same wheels all around 5 on 4.5".
I think a lot of guys in the bronco world are using the discs off the 8.8" on the 9" rear axle, the only thing I can think of is the tube size. The 8.8 is like a 3.25" tube but it has the same four bolts holding the backing plate to the housing. We'll have to check it out next time we're in the same place!

On a side not I did move over to be in front of the roll up doors before said burn out. I thought the same thing. ? I don't want to replace my shop windows, I better move over!?

[Luva65wagon]

Thanks. There is a rear-disc brake setup on eBay for $449 (complete) and initial contact with the seller said it uses OEM parts, but didn't yet divulge what these OEM parts were. I resist using parts I need to get from some obscure on-line seller, or something that Wilwood can say "Oh, we discontinued that item...." leaving me stranded.

Smart man moving...

[doghows]

After several road trips (on non rainy days) the delivery is doing awesome. Cruises smoother down the road than it ever has! RPM's are exactly where I wanted them and when I stomp the skinny pedal it's a whole new experiance when the back end starts to get squirrelly on burn outs.
No more embarrassment leaving a one tire fire! Now I need to save up for some new rear tires!??
If anyone is contemplating this swap I say go for it! Easy effective and now I've got a 3:73 posi, 31 spline axle, disc brake rear axle.

[doghows]

Ok winter project number two is under way. My spare valve cover got polished and installed. Now to polish up the air intake tube and upper intake.
This is gonna suck, I have about 20 hours into the valve covers!?!

[Luva65wagon]

Doesn't powder coat come in polish?

[doghows]

No I wish it did. They have some called "chrome" and "polished aluminum" but in my opinion they suck compared to the real deal. On round tube it looks good but still not chrome.
I know I can't afford chrome plating, so I'm just polishing all this aluminum myself.
On a secondary note, WIAI I'd like to stiffin up the suspension a bit. What's a good set of shocks to run? Bilstein or KYB? I might try for upgraded front sway bar and add a rear before show season. We'll see how $$ and time allow.

[Luva65wagon]

KYB's a good choice... but it's hard to get much stiffening from shocks alone. Can't hurt though.

[doghows]

If anyone is looking I have my 8" rear axle for sale. I had a friend that thought it would work in his car. I knew it wouldn't but he wanted to check.
Anyway I have it back and it's for sale. Came out of a 63.5 sprint has new seals and gaskets, powder coated the housing while it was apart. Brakes are in excellant shape. I'll post it in parts for sale as well. Asking $500 but will accept offers. Located in Sequim Washington. Thanks Steve.

It's the black one in the front.

[doghows]

Finally finished project number two. Polished up the valve covers, air intake tube and upper manifold. Got about 40 hours into the job. I keep telling myself I'm not going to do this much work polishing but this is the third time I've done a set of these parts??

[doghows]

Test fit, you know I had to see how it would look!!

[SmithKid]

Beautiful Steve! Are you protecting the finish? if so, what product?

[doghows]

Got a couple ideas. One I think is called Blue Magic and the other one is called sharks hide. I've used the Sharks hide before and it works well. A buddy told me to try the blue magic. So I'll have something on there just not sure which one yet.

[Luva65wagon]

Does look nice. A clear powder coat wouldn't seal it?

[doghows]

It would seal it, but even a clear powder coat will dull it down a bit and it would look like the wheels on modern cars. They usually polish those then clear powder them. Besides it will give me something to polish at the shows lol!