mel88643

The housing is made of Malleable cast iron. Cast iron welding rods should be used.

gregrob

iTrader: (8)

I stand corrected, thanks for the info.

How do you know what it's made out of.

I was repeating what I thought was good info but had never tested it for myself.

FWIW people are using normal MIG on them and it's working fine, but its always best to have the proper alloy and to follow the best procedure for what you're welding.

mel88643

When doing my research to build my rearend I found that a company no longer in business, Extreme Chasis , that was building 8.8's rears for the FBody had problems with welds cracking on the torque arm and on the tube entering the housing because of the difficulties welding cast iron-with more research I found that rearends, engine blocks ,camshafts etc are made of malleable iron - its a weldable cast iron but can be somewhat difficult to weld. If welding is done without using a cast iron rod it will weld but it probably will not hold because of the high carbon content in cast iron. Nickle 55 and nickle 95 are 2 common type welding electrodes for welding cast iron, I now use a rod that cost about $100 per pound,which welds very well with out requiring preheat commonly associated with welding cast iron.Hoep this helps.

355z28

iTrader: (8)

I believe I am going to do this. With an Explorer 3.73 LS 8.8 with 31 spline axles. I will order my axles through moser. I have an extra rear out of a 93 v6 car, can I swap my lt1 brakes to it and get rid of the drums on those tubes?

gregrob

iTrader: (8)

thanks mel, I sell a very good, and also very expensive rod through work. Ill grab some if that.

SoxXpupPeT

iTrader: (34)

agreed. thanks for the info mel! it looks like couplers for me! lol but thats not so bad. i was planing on doing that anyway. and for my torque arm mounts. im going to worry about that when i get there

SoxXpupPeT

iTrader: (34)

well... i said id be slow to update this and i have been. But hopefully within the next 2 weeks or so there will be more progress.. i just picked up a used 10 bolt housing from 69TA and i have to say. thanks aain kevin for the housing! I cant wait to get working on this! im going to be cutting the axle tubes off of the 8.8 this week. and i might be wanting to make completely new tubes for the whole rear. i have to see how i like the thickness of the 10 bolt tubes. time will tell tho. anyway heres a pic showing the 8.8 i got and the 10 bolt housing waiting to get cut up. stay tuned for more progress

Z28Camaro30Ann

iTrader: (15)

Is there any way to find out what 8.8 rear ends will work for our cars? I know there are ALOT out there to choose from and I am curious what models and years I should be looking for at junk yards/etc. I am interested in possibly trying this!

SoxXpupPeT

iTrader: (34)

there are afew that have same size axle tubes i believe. i got it just to reuse the pumpkin. everything else will be brand new. some explorers have 31 splines and 4.10's i think...

96lt1m6

iTrader: (31)

I am using a Ford Explorer rear it already has 4.10s and a locker in it! that saves 700.00 right up front and when the LSD unit goes out like most all fords do after racing them i will install a NEW locker...my swap is roughly 800.00 w/MOSER axles and rear girdle

Spiers

iTrader: (7)

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Here is a good read on looking for what vehicles came with what...

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

SoxXpupPeT

iTrader: (34)

Ok, So being busy has its ups and downs. Ups being i get paid for working and doing side jobs. Downs are me being left with no time for anything else. and with getting that big snow storm last week its kept me home. Needless to say more about that i found alittle bit of time today. In doing so i decided to cut the tubes on the 8.8 to start to measure up for the coupler. Even tho part of me is wondering if i should completely replace the tubes all together with a single piece of steel. Ill have my decision sometime this week hopefully. I just want it to be as strong as possible. Im currently saving up for my internals so within the month i should be getting things in to put it together. again, sorry for the slow updates.

some pics





I was actually very surprised by the wall thickness of the 8.8 housing! i havent miked it out yet but its nice and heavy as you can see. The tubes on the 10 bolt feel like there made out of paper in comparison!

jts98z28

iTrader: (18)

awesome thread keep it coming with the pics and detail im definately using this as instructions for me when i do mine

SoxXpupPeT

iTrader: (34)

Im sorry for the Extremely long delay but my lifes been really busy lately. As a result of that i havent had much time to do anything for myself lately. Luckily however i found time early this week to continue with my little project.

After cutting both the tubes off the 8.8 housing and off the 10 bolt housing. i found that if i just cut the outside of the 10 bolt tube down just alittle. It should be able to slide into the inside of the 8.8 tubes... That meant blueprinting my 10 bolt housing and cutting her up! and thats exactly what i did.





By the weekend i want to have the 10 bolt tubes cut down and ready to get welding inside the 8.8 tubes.. fingers crossed for no problems!

1BAD01TA

iTrader: (45)

same thing im gonna try

93Z2871805

iTrader: (5)

Subscribed

22lambo

iTrader: (1)

Looks great! Can't wait to see it finished.

1961ba427

iTrader: (26)

Do the tubes need to be from a 93 and newer Fbody or will they work fine all the way back to 82? I have better access to 3rd gen rears for chopping up. If I use an older one that came with drums, will my 4th gen discs bolt up? This set-up is the best thing I have heard about for Fbodies ever. I've always said that the one thing GM goofed on was weak rears. They could have at least made something optional or easier to swap. Why in the world wasn't the 8.5" at least optional? Seems like it would have not only helped they buyer, but possible saved them some warranty money?? It couldn't have cost them that much more to go 8.5 instead of 7.5. Bet they own stock in Moser/Strange/Currie.

1961ba427

iTrader: (26)

Also...If I want to keep functional ABS (3 channel) what do I look for and what do I need to do to get this to work?? I saw pics of a ranger rear with a reluctor on the differential....and also read about Mustang rears with ABS reluctors on the axles. I'd assume the ranger set-up would work for 3 channel and the Mustang for 4 channel?? Know how assuming goes.

Jazz-LT1

iTrader: (2)

I'm wondering if the abs reluctor ring will work with the GM system. Does it have the same number of teeth or can it be swapped for the GM ring?