Don`t know much about parts changing. How do I know if I have a 8in. or 9in. rear end? Is it the housing that makes the difference or the inside? If it`s the inside, can a 8in. be used in a 9in. or the other way around? Looking for a 3:55 posi rear end for 74 mav.
Both the internals and the housings are different. Finding a Posi rear end for the 8 inch in your Mav will be a challenge. Originals are hard to come by. Some companies however make a new posi differential for the 8 inch, but gear choices and avaliability are limited. They are also somewhat expensive. If your Maverick has the stock rear end, as most still do, it is an 8 inch. I know of a page that talks about the differences between them in more detail, and also tells you what cars to find them in. I'll try to find it and post a link soon. -Corbin
When you see them side by side, the difference is obvious. But a easy way to tell is: On the 9 inch rear, the nut on the bottom left hand side of the 3rd member cannot be reach with a socket. If you can put a socket on that nut, then you have a 8 inch. Hope this helps.
Actually there are alot of gear choices for the 8". Summit carries awide varity of ratios. Only the Ford trac-lock is the hard to find center section. You can get lockers and limited slips from Currie, or go with the Auburn series of Limited slips. It cost about the same to build a 8" or 9". Here is a picture of a 9". Notice how low the pinion is. As John stated, the bottom cornor nuts are inaccessible with a socket.
There are almost allways 8"posi on Ebay, although they cost as much as a 9" Here is a 3.50 geared posi http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34208&item=2434549383
about rear end size Looking for a 8 inch rear end around 3.55 ratio. I see alot of 8.8 on ebay. What are these? Maverickdad
8.8 A 8.8 rear end is a newer rear end, usually from a Mustang or Explorer, it is sort of the stardard V8 rear end for Ford. I think a 8"or 9" rear end is a better rearend than the 8.8 I see rebuilt 3rd members on Ebay for 8" or 9" on a regular basis and there are almost allways 3.50 geared 3rd members. I will be using a rearend from a 1971 mustang, it is wider but my rear wheels have alot of offset. and the hub diameter is smaller on the mustang. My wheels wont fit over the hubs on my 1975 Comet
8" I am building one from mail-order (Jegs) for less than the one on ebay, and I know all the parts are new. PowerTrak Traction Lok #1810 $299 Richmond Gears $164.99 Instal kit/Bearings, washers etc. $89.99 I am getting a deal on the instalation from a local builder who is swapping the work for my Currie Ent narrowed 9" housing. Scott
Hope you don't have problem with those Richmond gears whinning. Seems to be a common problem with them. The story is their surfaces are not finished as smooth as some others. I was warned about that before I bought mine, wish I had listened. That and the fact I had to return a set. After 3 tries at trying to get the right tooth pattern I sent them back to Richmond. Talked to a factory guy who said "Yeah, we checked them out and they should never had gotten out the door." They sent me a new set that have a good pattern and backlash but they still whine.
Hmm, food for thought. Although I could never hear them over the flowmaster 40's. I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED ON THAT ONE! Scott
I have heard this also but I still used their gears a couple of times and have never had a problem. I just put a set in my Bronco 8.8 a few months ago and its running great and quiet.
