gears- 2.73- 3.73.... acceleration gain (0-60 time)

[P72Ford]

ummm... burnouts will be a LOT easier with 3.73's....

I will second that. I can powerbrake it from second gear...

Ive heard that 3.73s and 4.10s are bad on Panthers due to the driveshaft being so long, the RPMS make it shakes and messes seals up.

I have no problems with vibrations.

you need to switch to the aluminum driveshaft if you dont already have it.

The smaller rotating mass is beneficial, but I have had no issues with my factory driveshaft.

[Lincolnmania]

i have no complaints about my stock driveshaft either.......i can feel a vibration over 85 mph but town car aluminum driveshafts are made of unobtanium

[P72Ford]

I have had mine way over 100 already, and there is still no thrumming...

[merc91]

awasome!

thanks guys, it all sounds good. Hopefully the gears will be going in after i buy the new rims and tires in march.

andy

[fordktpjoe]

Sorry to thread jack, but I recently "fell" into a "K" code to replace my 2:73 open, basically I was looking for the tracloc to help some with the winter traction, and the 3:55's to keep the lo-po from feeling like such a slug on freeway entrance ramps and such. Is the gear ratio difference going to literally kill my mileage? 2 to 3 mpg won't hurt my feelings any.

It's out of a high mileage car, so Ima throw a set of bearings in it before the install.

I don't care about 0-60 times, I'm not a racer.

[Southern_Pride]

Shouldn't hurt it too much. Ive never run one in a lopo car though.

[RunUoveR]

i really want to get some gears put in my car. after driving it for a while i know it would wake right up off the line with something a little deeper

[crown vic muscle]

if anyone is in the MN/WI area and wants to see how a 3.73 drives let me know

[Cyberats]

Hello,

I had this run by so many people, I am thinking of doing it myself, what would I need for a clean rear axle swap if I am no mechanic ? My first self made oil change failed due to worn out threading on the pan/plug. :p However tune up, with a little more help, was a witch but completed. Anyways, here's the specs I dug up if anyone needs some; my question is: What rear axle numbers do I need to look for at junkyard, to make sure I am getting: 1) Positraction (both wheels spinning), 2) 3.73:1 gears and is 8.8", 3) fits the 63.4" spec. tracking (length/width), 4) not in the least cracked, broken or leaking ??? Thanks.

1990 Mercury Grand Marquis LS
Fuel Economy (city / hwy): 17 / 24 mpg
Rear-Wheel Drive
Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive
Engine Specifications: 5.0L 150hp V8(4.942L 302cu.in.)
Horsepower: 150
Torque (lb-ft): 270
Valves/Valve Configuration: 2 valves/cyl.
Displacement (cc) 4950
Bore X Stroke (in.) 4.00 X 3.00
Compression Ratio 8.9:1
Fuel Type/System No data/MPFI
Timing Setup - 10 deg. off dead center
Turbocharger No
Supercharger No
R - H
S - N/A
AX - 8
Other - TGCDD
AXLE INFO REAR - FORD 8.8" - 28 SPLINE AXLES
AXLE POSITION REAR
PINION TYPE STANDARD
COVER BOLTS 10.0
AXLE SPLINE COUNT 28.0
RATIO TO USE LOW RATIO CASE N/A
RING GEAR DIAMETER 8.8
PINION SHAFT DIAMETER 1.63
RING GEAR BOLT QTY - SIZE 10 - 7/16in x 20 thread
PINION SPLINES 30.0
TRACKS - 63.4"

[RunUoveR]

you could just buy new gears and a posi unit for a 8.8 and have it installed. if tune ups and oil changes are giving you trouble though you might want to look around a good shop to do this for you

[crown vic muscle]

i swapped a rear axle out of a 1996 panther. the new cars have disc brakes. just rebent some new brake lines on it. but the gears were shot and the posi is slipping. it could be just as cheap to rebuild your rear axle. with a used rear you really have no idea what you are getting

[RunUoveR]

do the newer generation panther rears bolt right up that easy?

[Southern_Pride]

Up through 97 yes they do. They are a hair wider though.

[crown vic muscle]

just make sure that if you do get one used that the gears arent shot and rebuild the posi if it has one. I made that mistake the hard way, had to buy all new gears fuckin expensive to have it replaced. but you get disk brakes all around which is a nice upgrade.

[Cyberats]

Swap

Yeah thanks, I saw a kit selling for $610 complete with axles:

http://www.accuautoparts.com/axledetails.jsp?parts_id=ACC:REBGEARPOSFD88-28-373

or this one for $1000 delivered but does not say positraction:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Ford+Racing/397/M-4006-C373/10002/-1

Like always it was my bad luck and assuming nothing can go wrong with oil change, not prepared to replace the plug. I can take things apart given time, putting them back together the way it was, WILL be a problem when you're not a mechanic.
I guess if I get the budget in the future I'll do it the painless way. :p