Ford 8.8?
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From: Joplin, Missouri
Ford 8.8? Who here has a 8.8 in there car? I'll be in the market for a new rearend pretty soon and was wanting to find out more on the 8.8. It takes less power to turn one then a 9 inch does and from what most of the Ford guy say they are just as strong.
Originally Posted by BAIN
Same guy built my 8.8 that built SUX2BU's and I feel the same way.
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From: Red Stick, LA
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Verdad Gallardo Basically I would never do buisness with Craig again. It took him 4 weeks to get the rear built with money upfront and he told me 2 weeks. He told me it would be done by 5pm the day he called me to pick it up and when I showed up he was still welding on the case....ie nothing installed I had to wait there for my car till 1am and it wasn't right (grinding noise). He told me to come back to resetup the gears. After setting up the gears 3 more times (by this time 1am again) They told me to come back the next weekend. After a week of driving it to work whining and grinding back the pattern was worn in the gears I bought and they told me it would be anouther week before I could get those gears(3.55) because of having to order them. I decided to go ahead and get the 3.73's they had in stock instead. After the setup the 3.73's 3 more times it still wasn't right (grinding noise) I decided to deal with the whining and grinding till it broke. Only good thing about the 8.8 is it hasn't broke. Overall I was out of drag racing for 2 months (perfect weather to get best times) and the rear still wasn't right. 
The 8.8 is a GREAT rearend in a Ford. What they are trying to do to make these rears work in our cars isn't working (yet). Someday it may be practical to put an 8.8 in an F-body but as of right now I agree with everyone else. Get a 12 bolt or 9" whichever you prefer.
Originally Posted by blue01ta
The 8.8 is a GREAT rearend in a Ford. What they are trying to do to make these rears work in our cars isn't working (yet). Someday it may be practical to put an 8.8 in an F-body but as of right now I agree with everyone else. Get a 12 bolt or 9" whichever you prefer.
I don't know of anybody trying the 8 3/4 Chryslers. Can't help you on that one. But no matter what rear you go with it's gonna need aftermarket axles, diff,etc. just to handle the torque of the engine and the weight of the car. So either way it's gonna cost ya. I wouldn't want to be the first person to try any of these other rears because you may spend a lot of money and end up with something that still doesn't work just to save a couple hundred bucks. At least if you call up Strange and order a $2000+ rear end and something isn't to your likings they will work with you. If you have a fab shop start cutting and welding on this rearend and it doesn't work in the end they are not obligated to do anything for you. Just my .02.
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From: Red Stick, LA
The problem is adapting the torque arm housing. It's not easy welding one onto a cast housing, especially if it is iron. I don't know if it is iron, but welding on Iron is not really a good thing.
Sorry guys, I knew about Craigs business problems, I meant to post that as well. Based on the stories posted it appears he sucked as a business person.
I was wondering if you had any complaints about the conversion itself, versus his poor business practices, sloppy welding, and crappy setup.
Sounds like you don't - too bad he started off giving this conversion such a bad name.
I was wondering if you had any complaints about the conversion itself, versus his poor business practices, sloppy welding, and crappy setup.
Sounds like you don't - too bad he started off giving this conversion such a bad name.
Originally Posted by TRex
I was wondering if you had any complaints about the conversion itself, versus his poor business practices, sloppy welding, and crappy setup.
Sounds like you don't - too bad he started off giving this conversion such a bad name.
Sounds like you don't - too bad he started off giving this conversion such a bad name.
like i said do a search under my name and you will get the full story.
Many people also never got some parts with their rear.
Originally Posted by 02Z28
I think I will be going with a 9". Should I spend the extra $155 and get the alum. housing or not?
Last edited by blue01ta; Jun 4, 2005 at 05:49 PM.
My problem I had was he was getting to the Set-up point when I brought my car by for the install. Had to spend the night to wait to get my car.
The 8.8 is a great rear-end, Just not the Way Craig built them. So far, my Relocation Brackets are welded out of alignment, The factory spot is crunched too tight for normal Suspension LCA's.
I have been battling Vibration from Day 1 and I said to hell with Craig setting it up. He can't seem to get things right. I believe from the Total Rebuild I just did, that the T/A mount must also be welded off a bit.
Talked to a guy that builds rears, and the bearing pattern is consistant with Pinion angle being off. The 8.8" and the 9" are both sensitive to Pinion angle. Off 3degrees or more and it'll vibrate, Bind, and Put a score pattern in the Pinion bearings. Fricken blows.
I'll have to get an Ajustable T/A to be able to fix this FINNALLy. After 1year and 3 months I have the problems sorted out. He rushed the Welding and didn't square it up right. I'll have to get another rear in the Future and give up on this one for now. OR I'll have to get the Re-location brakets fixed and get an Adjustable T/A. Stuff I was planning on anyways, just not as a Necessity.
The 8.8 is a great rear-end, Just not the Way Craig built them. So far, my Relocation Brackets are welded out of alignment, The factory spot is crunched too tight for normal Suspension LCA's.
I have been battling Vibration from Day 1 and I said to hell with Craig setting it up. He can't seem to get things right. I believe from the Total Rebuild I just did, that the T/A mount must also be welded off a bit.
Talked to a guy that builds rears, and the bearing pattern is consistant with Pinion angle being off. The 8.8" and the 9" are both sensitive to Pinion angle. Off 3degrees or more and it'll vibrate, Bind, and Put a score pattern in the Pinion bearings. Fricken blows.
I'll have to get an Ajustable T/A to be able to fix this FINNALLy. After 1year and 3 months I have the problems sorted out. He rushed the Welding and didn't square it up right. I'll have to get another rear in the Future and give up on this one for now. OR I'll have to get the Re-location brakets fixed and get an Adjustable T/A. Stuff I was planning on anyways, just not as a Necessity.
As far as I can see, all the issues are from craig's poor building. Just an FYI to the person that keeps saying stuff about the sticky. There is NOTHING in there, but the moderator saying that you can freely express the issues you have with them, good or bad.
