A whilt ago I posted a message about a kit wilwood was developing for the 8-3/4 that uses an intrigal style parking brake, similar to the Phord explorer (exploder?) rear axle.. Well, my buddy that works there just sent me an email that the info is now on their website.. for those who care, check out WWW.wilwood.org/ds388.pdf , it's the install instructions for the mopar kit. It's in the $700 range.. kind of pricy for me..

matt-

mhaskell@reliant.com

Just an idea, if Im way off base let me know.The Ford Exploder set up is a good brake system from everything I have read. Why not weld 9" flanges on an 8 3/4 and use the exploder setup?
I have no dollars and cents on this yet, but if it was affordable I might do it to my Barracuda(Ive been kicking this idea around for a while.The only component Im not sure will work or even exists is a adaptor bearing to go from 8 3/4 axle to 9" flange. Ill let you know what I come up with)

madmax6995@hotmail.com

You're not off base. It's done all the time. Check out <A HREF="http://www.moserengineering.com/">http: ... ng.com/</A> and you'll get some idea of whats done. When I ordered the 4.5 bolt circle axles for my 8-3/4, they asked if I had mopar or ford ends on my housing. So that leads me to believe there are a fair number of people out there who have done it on mopar housings. There would be no adapter bearing needed, you would just use 9inch axles, bearings, bearing retainer, brake bits.... That would give you the ability to go big spline, 35 to 40, with a custom spool, bearings and axles. But I doubt any sl6-er needs it or is willing to blow the cash on it. The explorer axle is their 8.8 axle, completely different than the 9". It's strong, but it's a c-clip, so the housing ends are different. So 9" ends wouldn't allow you to use explorer brakes, but currie enterprises sells the backing plates to allow the conversion for housings with 9" ends. The Wilwood kit I mentiond uses oem ford drum bits, but with their own backing plate, hat, disc and caliper setup, and it works on the mopar ends, and many others for that matter..

If you are cutting down a wide 8-3/4, go ahead and see about putting different ends on to expand your options, it's cost about the same at that point. Otherwise, don't bother. I know moser does it, but I'm sure most good axle shops can frankenstien anything you want..

Matt-


mhaskell@reliant.com