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  1. #1

    Default Axle/Diff Dilemma - Original Ford 8.8 or "Ford Racing Dana 44"

    Hey guys,

    I posted in a few facebook groups looking for a replacement axle/diff setup for my 1982 Capri RS. Just hoping to upgrade from the 7.5 before it goes boom, I'll be using the car for RallyX so it will be pushed HARD and off road.

    So my dilemma is I was offered:

    "Ford Racing Dana 44 with ebrake cables, drum to drum, never used, 3.31 gears" for $200

    And from a pick and pull - Ford 8.8 Mustang drum to drum for $150 (already pulled).

    Now 50 bucks sounds more sounds like it would be cheaper than rebuilding one from a pick and pull but do I want a Dana 44? Did Ford Racing even get involved in D44's? He says it's set up for a Mustang, but I've never heard of this so I'm a bit hesitant.

    Thoughts? Probably buying one of these tomorrow if I can.

  2. #2

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    I know the Mexican Mustangs came with the Dana 44 stock. Could be a motorsport part prior to the intro of the 8.8?

  3. #3
    FEP Senior Member
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    Default

    FWIW the Jeep guys seem to be of the opinion that the 8.8 is stronger than the Dana 44. What gears are in the 8.8? Is it a Trak-Lok differential?

  4. #4

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    I am thinking what Kevin said is accurate. I was under the impression that a ton of Jeep guys were swapping in Explorer 8.8s. That being said I have no evidence to back that up. But I was thinking that and then I read where Kevin said the same so I have some confidence that is at least partly the truth.
    Liberty once lost is lost forever.

    John Adams
    July 7, 1775

  5. #5

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    The pick and pull place said he couldn't confirm gears on the computer and I'd have to check them in person on the tag, he said the computer only has an option to set them all as 2.73's but they could be higher...or they could all be 2.73's. The big benefit to me on the D44 is that it's brand new and hasn't been yanked out of a car that's done (most likely) countless burn outs.

    The 8.8's should all be Trak-Lok LSD's.

    I had a bunch of guys in another site recommend the 8.8 as well. Crazy tempting to get a brand new rear axle set up though! I still don't know if the drive shaft needs to change at all to go into a D44.

  6. #6

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    Explorer 8.8's were much beefier than the ones in fox mustangs.

    Jess
    Previously owned;
    1979 Mustang, v6 swapped to EFI 393, custom installed m122 blower, 4r70w trans, Megasquirt II, T-top swaped in.
    1990 Mustang, 545 BBF, C-4 with brake, ladder bars.
    1983 Mustang, 1984 SVO Mustang
    1984 Mustang convertible, v6 swapped to 351
    1986 Mustang GT, 1989 Mustang GT convertible
    1992 Mustang coupe, 4 swapped to 302

  7. #7

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    I'd personally rather have the 8.8, once it's built right it's tough as nails.
    1984.5 G.T.350 had since 16y/o
    95 Cobra, Crystal White

  8. #8
    FEP Power Member slow84lx's Avatar
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    That Dana 44 is going to cost a lot more than the 8.8 before it is up and running. There is an abundance of cheap oem parts to bolt the 8.8 right in. No worries about driveshaft or u joint fit. Easy swap and will hold up to anything you throw at it.

  9. #9
    FEP Super Member xctasy's Avatar
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    Default

    Autocross, wheel loss is the issue.

    For anyone else but me, buy the 8.8, Upgrade axles to Moser 31 spline and a decent locker and call it a day.

    Get a 31 splin 8.8 conversion with C clip eliminator.

    28 spline axle shafts are the achillies heal of any Ford, which is why the Boss Mustangs and Big Block 9" diffs used them, and the Explorer 8.8"

    If you were planning on racing the car at all then you definitely have too much power for the stock 28 spline axles


    Maximum Momentary output Torque (MOT), rates the momentary torque spike the axle can handle, such as from a spinning tire suddenly gaining grip.


    33% stronger than the Dana 44

    Maximum Continous Output Torque (COT). COT is simply the amount of torque the axle can handle hour after hour, day after day without failure.

    14% stronger than the Dana 44


    NB///

    MOT/ COT ratings, post #2 06-09-2015, 07:34 PM http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...stock-8-8-hold

    At a personal level, wouldn't use either. Mandatory braced full floating 7.5" German Cologne ZF Atlas differential or full floating 9".

    The Cologne Atlas is simply the World Rally Championship winnig Escort axle, and what all Group A Mustangs used... Mike Kranfus's beloved Köln ZakSpeed Capri axle.


    SEE http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthre...os-for-the-Fox


    It won two European Touring Car Champonships in . Capri RS2600 won European Touring Car Championship in 1971 and 1972 ...1974 Ford Escort RS1600, 1979 World Rally Championship Ford Escort RS1800

    The 9 " Ford full floater with 31 spline axles became legal later.



    You can get a great run out of stock 7.5, Dana 44 or 8.8 28 splin differentials axles if you pretreat by cryrogenics, but reliabiity is based on being a hundred percent bulletproof in every situation.

    7.5's aren't 100% reliable.
    Dana 44 's aren't much stronger than a 7.5
    8.8's are a lot stronger, but the axle shafts aren't. and the c clip can be an issue.

    If you were planning on racing the car at all then you definitely have too much power for any of the stock 28 spline axles.

  10. #10

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    Most later f- 150s had 31 spline as well as better axle ratios. I'd go junkyarding and build (at the yard) a 31 spline diff If ya can find the explorer fx4 off-road package rangers with sn- 95 rear brakes. Might take a while though and would still need a rebuild kit.
    2 1986 cougars (both 4 eyed and 5.0)
    1 1987 cougar

  11. #11
    FEP Super Member cb84capri's Avatar
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    You might want to check this place out as they are local to you:

    https://www.kohrmotorsports.com/

    Most of what they dabble in is newer Mustangs, but they might have some good 8.8 parts for sale.

    I would pick up that 8.8 and decide from there what you want to do. It will likely not have 2.73, 3.08, or 3.27 gears. In my car I have a 31 spline trac-lok diff out of an Explorer, modified clutch stacking, 4.10 gears, 5 lug Moser axles and disc brakes. A disc brake will also retain your wheel if the axle fails.

    Cale

  12. #12

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    The Ford Racing M-4204-F318C 31-spline "Cobra" 8.8 differential unit (AKA AR3Z-4026-A) can be had for
    ~ $230 new. I used one of these with a pair of 2005-up Crown Vic axles back in 2013, when I put the 4.10s
    in the Marauder. The Cobra differential comes with the CF clutches already installed. I paired it with the
    M-4210-C3 overhaul kit, which comes with the 2012 'wide angle' GT500 pinion bearing.
    Cheers,
    Jeff Cook

    '85 GT Hatch, 5-speed T-Top, Eibachs, Konis, & ARE 5-Spokes ... '85 GT Vert, CFI/AOD, all factory...
    '79 Fairmont StaWag, 5.0, 62K original miles ... '04 Azure Blue 40th Anny Mach 1, 37K original miles...
    2012 F150 S-Crew 4x4 5.0 "Blue Coyote"... 65 coupe, 289 auto, Pony interior ... '67 coupe 6-cyl 4-speed ...
    '68 Vert, Mexican block 307 4-speed... '71 Datsun 510 ...
    And a 1-of-328 Deep Blue Pearl 2003 Marauder 4.6 DOHC, J-Mod, 4.10s and Lidio tune

  13. #13

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    Thanks for all the help and advice guys! I ended up going with a different Ford 8.8 unit. It was taken out of a guys 91 Mustang 2 weeks ago, he threw in all the brake gear and the 4 control arms (most likely junk arms, but hey they're there.) It was upgraded to 3.73 gears so I'll be getting a full 1 increase in gearing from my 2.73 7.5.

    Oh, and it was $175.

  14. #14

    Default

    Score! As long as the gears were set up correctly.

    Jess
    Previously owned;
    1979 Mustang, v6 swapped to EFI 393, custom installed m122 blower, 4r70w trans, Megasquirt II, T-top swaped in.
    1990 Mustang, 545 BBF, C-4 with brake, ladder bars.
    1983 Mustang, 1984 SVO Mustang
    1984 Mustang convertible, v6 swapped to 351
    1986 Mustang GT, 1989 Mustang GT convertible
    1992 Mustang coupe, 4 swapped to 302

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