ford 8.0 irs anyone tried it?
 

found a deal on the 8.0 irs fits 2002-2004 tbird and LS models with a v-8 anyone tried this yet? mounting will be a little different but it has 28 spline axles, looks like a decent option if it will work?

You can use the center section with the V8R kit. Other than that, you can't use any of the parts without major mods.

the 8.0 mounts different than the 8.8 that i see on the v8roadster page or am i missing something?

F0RD Rearends
 

yoitsmatt
I think you may have your info mixed up. The F0RD 8.0 only came in straight axle except for a concept IRS for 65/66 Mustangs. I believe the IRS was mainly JAG parts and have only seen a partial setup at a F0RD nut gathering, lol.

The 7.5" or 8.8" are the modern replacements for the 8.0" and 9.0" rears. It is possible I am outdated as I just discovered the 7.5" is no longer supported. AFAIK the T-Bird IRS is either 7.5" or 8.8"

Party on
Dean0

I looked at that rear at one time. It appears to be a variation of an 8.8 but with enough differences that it gets undesirable. Like not available with limited slip. And as you noted, the mounting differences.

Mike

I have one in hand and the mounting isnt really a problem the limited slip is, i was going to install aftermarket locker or lsd anyway but not many options available so far, too bad cause that diff was available in 2002-2006 tbirds and lincoln LS., working on my last source for a posi for the thing if that doesnt work its back to the junk yard.

That rear end was used in vehicles equipped with traction control. You will most likly never find a "locker" for it.

The Ford 8" diff was used in the 60's and 70's. Except for a few rare experiments from Ford and aftermarket, it was never offered as an IRS. The late T-bird only came with an 8.8 or 7.5. The IRS came in the Super Coupe, with the 3.8l V6 supercharged. I don't think the V8 came with IRS, but I don't remember. Some cars received the 7.5" IRS, but not the T-Bird.

The T-Bird 8.8 is the pretty much same as the solid axle 8.8. Any carrier that works in one will work in the the other. You have a wide variety of LSD devices available; and a couple of true locker choices as well.

If it's a fun street car, use a stock plate style Ford LSD. Smooth operation, reliable, quiet, and inexpensive.

For racing with turns, I would recommend something like a Tru-Trak worm gear.

For racing without turns, I recommend a locker.

Apparently we're talking about different things.

This link

2000 2002 Lincoln LS V8 3 31 3 9L Rear End Diff Differential XW4W 4A028 Ba E56 | eBay

takes you to the late model (2000-2004?) irs as used on Lincoln LS, Thunderbird and some Jaguar models.

This link:

Lincoln LS Limited Slip Differential bolt-in...

takes you to a Lincoln LS forum where there is a discussion of what they are calling the 8.0 IRS and its limitations.

This link:
MiataV8 Conversion: Rear subframe

takes you to my little blog that outlines one way to convert the Miata to an 8.8 IRS as found in 91-96 or so Tbird, Cougar and Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles.

HTH, Mike

My thought on it yoitsmatt is I feel like you could pick up an 8.8 locker and completely rebuild it including a gear swap for less than the price of putting a locker in what you have. Axles for the 8.8 are readily available and you know the system will work.

I understand you have the 8.0 on hand but I'm just not seeing the upside to using it. My 3.27 8.8 locker was $120 bucks shipped and I could have run it just as it was.

I can't find 8.8 with trac loc local. Where did you get yours for such a good price jim?

Got mine in West Palm Beach last year on Ebay- $295 though marked 3L27

I got mine from here http://forums.tccoa.com from a guy in PA. Guys part them out all the time in the sales section. I still get the notifications and there have been a few with great gear ratios in them come and go over the past couple of years too, but they usually bring more money.

Last fall I found a 3.08 locker for 100 bucks local I almost bought just because. I found that on my favorite go to site for this. http://car-part.com
You have to search under axle, differential and rear end and all the 8.8 options they give you for each to find all of what is out there. Lots of them will not say if they are locking or not so you may have to do some calling or email inquires. But just a quick scan using 95 Tbird, key word: axle, Option box: with disc brakes and abs, I came up with 2, 3.27 lockers at $250, 1, 3.08 Lock at $200 and several 2.73s lockers at $100.

Careful with the 2.73s I believe you can't change ratios past 3.08 in that housing if I am not mistaken. That could be GM I am thinking of too. Anyway if you dig on that site with all the options possible you can beat what I found easy enough. I usually do sort them by zip but really it's not that big of deal to ship a diff. They are heavy but not very big and you can ship one for less than 50 bucks clear across the county.

Good Luck!