Gear swap

[Blakonblak94]

Just need some opinions from the fellas. I have a friend with an 87 gt with 3.73's. He wants a set of 3.08s. Well I have 3.08s and I would like the 3.73's. He had them installed 6 months ago. Would it be worth my time to swap them between cars?

 

[got5.0]

yes

 

[Blakonblak94]

Do I need to do anything special since they've been installed already once?

 

[RockstarMentality]

recommend rebuilding the rear end
http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/LRS-4210A/Mustang-88-Rear-Gear-Super-Install-Kit

 

[travis00]

Just got done a few hours ago with my 3.73 swap, if you have never had the abs sensors out budget them in. There was no way to get mine out except break them. Other than that go for it, even from 3.27 to 3.73 i felt a difference.

 

[nicostang]

Just got done a few hours ago with my 3.73 swap, if you have never had the abs sensors out budget them in. There was no way to get mine out except break them. Other than that go for it, even from 3.27 to 3.73 i felt a difference.

+1 on that, and also used gears are not the best choice. Gears usually develop a wear pattern over time.

 

[Blakonblak94]

They're free and they've been in the car 6 months. Think they're worn that bad?

 

[Rice_slayer]

Just got done a few hours ago with my 3.73 swap, if you have never had the abs sensors out budget them in. There was no way to get mine out except break them. Other than that go for it, even from 3.27 to 3.73 i felt a difference.

+1 on that, and also used gears are not the best choice. Gears usually develop a wear pattern over time.

+2 on that, mine broke off too, Too lazy to fix it so I just took out the ABS bulb . Used gears are hit and miss, mine were excellent and I have yet to ever have a problem with them, but I have heard of many horror stories. Just hope that his aren't used and abused ;P.

 

[Blakonblak94]

I may play it safe and hold off. He wants it done quickly so I wouldn't be able to rebuild my diff.

 

[nicostang]

just one recommendation: if u get gears, try to get ford racing. They seem to be very reliable and make the least noise.

 

[Gtnut1996]

i like the ford racing gears because they are strong, and you can normally take the factory spacer off the old pinion and put it right on the new one. checking is always advised but most of the time you dont have to adjust. i took my factory 3.08s out and put 3.73s in and could notice the difference backing out of my shop.
i see you are from southhaven. if you are ever around hattiesburg hit me up.

 

[5.0kid]

not to threadjack, but is it hard to swap out the gears? or should i have them done for me? i'm very mechanically inclined, just haven't done anything to a rearend.

 

[nicostang]

I wouldn't really do it unless you have someone with you explaining on how to do it. I've heard its a lil tricky

 

[Gtnut1996]

its not really hard to do if you know what you are doing. most of it can be done by looking at it and using common sense. you need to know how to check specs. if you are mechanically inclined and know someone that can help you that has done it before go for it.

 

[tdrm1989]

Just adding info ford gears are made to a master housing depth. Unless they were done wrong before everything should be the same.

 

[Blakonblak94]

So ford gears should drop right in, no questions asked? I stress the word "should"

 

[nicostang]

I repeat, be VERY careful when installing gears, if you do it wrong your differential will develop a "whining" sound

 

[tdrm1989]

Yes they "should" i have done it myself many times..

 

[Blakonblak94]

Does this whining sounds like a supacharger? Cause if so I'm down.

 

[travis00]

The pinion should be fine but u Will most likely have to shim the carrier.