Latemodel Restoration
Latemodel Restoration's catalog has pages upon pages of rearend parts for the 8.8. Two items of interest are the Super Shim Kit and the 28-spline Yukon-brand axles. The shim kit runs $24.95 and contains all of the shims you need to complete the rear gear change. Shimming the gears ensures proper operation and longevity in the rear and the gears themselves. Also adding longevity to the life of the rear are the Yukon 28-spline axles, which are 25 percent stronger than the stock items. The four-lug pieces sell with studs for $189.95.
Mark Williams
When it comes to bulletproof driveline components, Mark Williams is at the top of the list. By far, the ring-and-pinion gears feel the most abuse when backing a high-horsepower Ford engine. Mark Williams offers 8.8 gearsets to not only help your Mustang get down the track quicker, but to build reliability as well. The gears are made from 8260-steel alloy, and can be used on the street, dragstrip, or oval track. The com-pany has many different ratios from which to choose, so specify which set you want before you plunk down the cash (prices vary).
While replacing the gears, consider installing Mark Williams' Street/Strip C-clip eliminator kit. The kit is for MW or Masterline axles, and is billed as the best C-clip eliminator kit for street usage. The price is $259. Speaking of axles, if you want to beef up your rear in one shot, then think about picking up MW's Ford axle kit. It comes with Hi-Torque axles, the C-clip eliminator kit, weld-on end or retainer kit, spool, drive studs, and wheel bearing. Contact MW for specifications and pricing.
Maximum Motorsports
If you're still planning on cruising the streets and terrorizing the masses with your Mustang, then maybe that spool you're thinking of isn't the way to go. The next best thing is the posi unit, better known as a limited-slip differential. Maximum Motorsports has you covered with its Torsen-supplied line of posi units. The differentials come in either 28- or 31-spline versions, and are recommended for street, auto crossing, or road racing usage.
Moser Engineering
Moser is another company that makes driveline components able to take a beating. Case in point is the company's new C-clip axles for the S197 cars. The axles are made from the same alloy as its custom pieces, and they're said to be 25-30 percent stronger than the OEM pieces. The axles come either as 28-spline units for V-6 cars or 31-spline pieces for the GT, and retail for $167.50. Making sure the driveshaft spins the ring-and-pinion gears is a task handed off to the 1350-series yoke for the 8.8. Every Moser yoke comes with the necessary hardware to bolt it on, including U-bolts, nuts, and lock washers. The price for the 1350-series yoke is $130.
Motive Gear
If you'd rather rebuild your differential than buy a new one, then Motive Gear has a rebuild kit for both the open and posi units. Known for its ring-and-pinion gears, the kits are a great complement to an upgrade in that department. The open differential kit includes side gears, side washers, pinion gears, pinion washers, a pinion shaft, and lock bolt or roll pin. The kit for the posi unit contains the same, in addition to clutches or posi plates and retainers where applicable. Contact Motive Gear for pricing.
National Drivetrain
National Drivetrain, a dealer for Detroit Locker, has a wide selection of Detroit Locker posi units, among the other pieces the company offers for the 8.8. For '83-'86 8.8s, you have a choice of a 28- or 31-spline posi, while the '87-and-up folks have one choice-the 31-spline unit. National Drivetrain also sells Motive Gear ring-and-pinions. Both the 3.90 and 4.30 ratio gearsets come with a mini installation kit and will set you back $189.95.
Powertrax
Powertrax has a neat item in that it guts the internals of the open differential and replaces them with locker-type pieces. This item is called the Lock-Right, and as stated, it is made to fit in the case of the open differential, replacing the unit with spider pinions, a thrust washer, and side gears. The unit will carry between 850 and 875 lb-ft of torque, which is more than the factory axles hold. This means you'll break something else before the Powertrax. In addition, the Powertrax eliminates the clicking and ratcheting sound when differentiating power between both tires. Contact Powertrax for info and pricing.
Pro-5.0
Known mostly for its shifters, Pro-5.0 also offers items for the 8.8, including a wide variety of ring-and-pinion sets. The gearsets sell for $199.99 in the following gear ratios: 3.31, 3.55, 3.73, 3.90, 4.10, 4.30, 4.56, 4.88, and 5.14. The gear ratio you choose is dependent upon the application and powerplant of your car, so contact Pro-5.0 for advice in choosing the correct gearset.