Scored today on my search for a rear axle... : MG Engine Swaps Forum : The MG Experience

Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #1
tdecell Trey Decell Clinton, MS, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB 1974 MG MGB GT	Topic Creator (OP) Mar 18, 2012 10:01 PM Joined 17 years ago 1,871 Posts

I've been looking for a rear axle for the B GT V8 ever since getting the V6-T5. What I found today was better than I had hoped for. I scored a 7.5" Ford rear axle from a Ranger with 3.08 gears. (I was going to settle for a 3.45 cause that's all I've run across) While looking through the wrecking yard, I came across a Bronco II 4x4 and peeking under it, found out it had a traction lock diff. So I took the traction lock out of the Bronco II, took the rear axle from the Ranger, swapped the ring gear from the Ranger onto the Traction lock diff, put it in the Ranger rear and got another "short side" axle from another Ranger 7.5 rear. Now I just have to shorten the left side tube and I'll be good.
This should give me a 12.4 1st gear ratio (which should be acceptable according to what I've read)

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www.tdecell.blogspot.com

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #2
scotabbott Scot Abbott Pittsburgh, Pa 15216, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB "Bee"	Mar 18, 2012 10:10 PM Joined 18 years ago 2,592 Posts

Way cool! Not too expensive or hard to do?

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #3
tdecell Trey Decell Clinton, MS, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB 1974 MG MGB GT	Topic Creator (OP) Mar 18, 2012 10:18 PM Joined 17 years ago 1,871 Posts

Following your lead on the rear end swap Scot. Just got lucky and found a traction lock to boot. Got the whole rear sans brakes for less than $80. So even with the narrowing of just one side, I'll still be sitting pretty good. I was looking at putting disc brakes on the rear, saw several Mustangs with rear discs and 7.5 rears. Anybody tried this?

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www.tdecell.blogspot.com

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #4
260mgb Jim Nichols Sequim,WA, USA Sign in to contact	Mar 19, 2012 05:31 PM Top Contributor Joined 16 years ago 5,627 Posts

Trey, Here you go, Mustang disc's on Ranger rear

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/how-submissions/5069-how-rear-disc-brake-conversion-stock-ranger-rear-end.html

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012-03-19 05:39 PM by 260mgb.

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #5
V8MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN, USA Sign in to contact	Mar 19, 2012 08:47 PM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 15,797 Posts

FYI: Ring & pinions are matched sets. Mixing like that is not advised. Hope it works out for you.

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #6
tdecell Trey Decell Clinton, MS, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB 1974 MG MGB GT	Topic Creator (OP) Mar 19, 2012 10:31 PM Joined 17 years ago 1,871 Posts

Carl, the ring and pinion that came from the factory in the Ranger rear are still in the Ranger rear, the pinion was never taken out or touched, the ring gear was swapped from the factory carrier over to the traction lock carrier. Working at a Ford dealership in the service dept for the last 20 years has given me just a little insight on rear axle repairs. Changing the carrier is done fairly often, as is changing the ring and pinion on the factory carrier. If set up properly, it should not cause any problems. I've got two or three technicians working for me that have been doing driveline repairs on Fords for 30 yrs each. Maybe you misunderstood what I was doing, the matched ring and pinion are still matched.
Jim, thanks for the info on the Mustang disc swap.

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www.tdecell.blogspot.com

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #7
V8MGBV8 Carl Floyd Kingsport, TN, USA Sign in to contact	Mar 20, 2012 09:51 PM Top Contributor Joined 19 years ago 15,797 Posts

In reply to # 2016759 by tdecell Maybe you misunderstood what I was doing, the matched ring and pinion are still matched.

Sorry, I guess I misread it. Good deal.

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #8
kstevusa kelly stevenson Huntsville, Lwr. Middle Tennessee, USA Sign in to contact 1978 MG MGB V8 Conversion "Must-B" 2003 Jaguar XK8 "Nigel"	Mar 21, 2012 06:45 AM Joined 17 years ago 659 Posts

Trey, I was like carl, I thought you only switched the ring gear and used the different pinion gear. I know abot Ford's MHD and the fact Ford Racing gears can usually be swapped w/o a major R/E O/H proceedure. (swap a 3.55 for a 3.70 or other ratios and use same set-up). Glad to see you found the needed items in the salvage yard. SAFETY FASTER!

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #9
mg man 75 maurice sallee Campbellsville, Central Kentucky, USA Sign in to contact 1976 MG Midget	Mar 21, 2012 06:39 PM Joined 17 years ago 2,217 Posts

Awesome way to do it. I used a 7.5 out of a 2.3 Turbocoupe. Maurice

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #10
ianjoub Ian Joubert Homosassa, FL, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG Midget "Mechanical Jailbait"	Mar 22, 2012 08:45 AM Joined 13 years ago 1,442 Posts

In reply to # 2016489 by 260mgb Trey, Here you go, Mustang disc's on Ranger rear

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/how-submissions/5069-how-rear-disc-brake-conversion-stock-ranger-rear-end.html

Nice!

I have my local parts guy searching for 8" diam rotors for a 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern application so I can do a rear disk conversion on my project and still keep the 13" wheels.

Ian:

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #11
Filth and Greed Motors Paul Gaylo Binghamton, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1959 MG MGA 1500 1970 MG MGB GT	Mar 23, 2012 09:44 AM Joined 16 years ago 1,411 Posts

I once found $50 in one dollar bills behind a glove box in a junkyard, banded like it just came from the bank. Needless to say, after I found the cash I didn’t need the blower motor resistor anymore.

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #12
98chrysler Jeremy Mulder Dallas TX, USA Sign in to contact	Mar 24, 2012 09:20 AM Joined 13 years ago 481 Posts

In reply to # 2015797 by tdecell Following your lead on the rear end swap Scot. Just got lucky and found a traction lock to boot. Got the whole rear sans brakes for less than $80. So even with the narrowing of just one side, I'll still be sitting pretty good. I was looking at putting disc brakes on the rear, saw several Mustangs with rear discs and 7.5 rears. Anybody tried this?

I just got done doing a Mustang 7.5 rear end in my Midget. I used a '99 stock v6 Mustang rear end with disc brakes. Shortened it 7 1/4" per side fitted Mosier axles and slapped it in. I also used the trac-loc which works well at my low power level. I would recommend getting a solid pinion sleeve to replace the factory crush sleeve. I think mine was 15$ or so off eBay. I also had to get a seal repair sleeve for the pinion flange as it had a large groove that is common on the 7.5. There is more info with pics at the link in my sig.

My fuel injected MG Midget Project
Sorry folks, I do not battle the keyboard warriors, or feed the trolls!

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #13
tdecell Trey Decell Clinton, MS, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB 1974 MG MGB GT	Topic Creator (OP) Mar 25, 2012 12:50 PM Joined 17 years ago 1,871 Posts

In reply to # 2016489 by 260mgb Trey, Here you go, Mustang disc's on Ranger rear

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/how-submissions/5069-how-rear-disc-brake-conversion-stock-ranger-rear-end.html

Today I got all the brake parts needed to swap the brakes on the 7.5 rear to discs from a Mustang as noted above. One thing I found out in looking into this swap was that Ford Taurus with rear discs have the same caliper dimensions and mountings, but the Taurus has a larger caliper piston. (43mm Taurus vs 38mm Mustang) The Taurus has a more user friendly brake hose than the Mustang also. Got the calipers, mounting brackets, anti-moan bracket, backing plates and hoses for less than $40.

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www.tdecell.blogspot.com

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #14
ianjoub Ian Joubert Homosassa, FL, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG Midget "Mechanical Jailbait"	Mar 25, 2012 04:51 PM Joined 13 years ago 1,442 Posts

I've determined that nothing disc is going to fit inside my 13" wheels... I'm hoping the drum setup will. If not, it will be a disk brake setup on the pinion....

Ian:

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Re: Scored today on my search for a rear axle... #15
260mgb Jim Nichols Sequim,WA, USA Sign in to contact	Mar 26, 2012 01:37 AM Top Contributor Joined 16 years ago 5,627 Posts

Trey, You still have to use the Mustang rotors, same bolt pattern as Ranger 5X4.5". Taurus rotor is 5X4.25" same as Volvo. The Front hubs have to be changed to 5 lug also. Unless you plan on redrilling axle and rotor to MGB 4X4.5". You will still need bigger front brakes. Look on BritishV8 site for more info. Or PM me. Here is a pic of 5 lug Ranger rear redrilled to MGB pattern. Same circle,reuse one lug, one goes exactly between two existing holes and two are close to two existing holes. Works fine.

5lugTo4lugDrum.jpg 60.6 KB

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