I was thinking about putting some '99-'04 Mustang axles into my '87 7.5" rear end. The housings should be very close or the same in width. Data from Jim Miller's thread shows they're .06" different. Installation of the Detroit TrueTrac and rear girdle should increase the strength enough to live behind a mild 351W sans slicks and drag launches. Does it save much weight or make monetary sense, no. :hick:
.
On the fitment issue, I'm sure members have swapped in Mark VII rears, but I can't find any threads regarding it. I'm worried about tire/wheel to fender clearance
There shouldn't be any tire/fender clearance with the wider axles. How wide of a tire? Under 275? You should be fine.
Yes, no wider than 255.
It makes more sense to gain 80lbs with an 8.8 swap from a 'Stang...they can be had for next to nothing.
But hardly anyone does up a 7.5" rear...and I think that's the point here. You CAN build one, have it all, and not add as much weight as you would swapping in an 8.8" rear. Personally I can't wait to see it all done.
the 99-04 mustang rears are over an inch wider than the 94-98 rears
They're about the same as the SVO/Mk7 rears....and I had one under the Tbird for a while and still had plenty of clearance.
the whole axel will fit fine but the shafts are a no-go in the older housing, i had a rear end from a 01 gt and not only was the housing wider but the mounting for the LCA's were further apart also.