Chevy & GMC Vans

Has anyone ever looked in to using the 8.8 out of one of these? Yes you have to cut the brackets off and add the correct ones. but it seems to have the tank in the same place not sure of width but it seems to be something worth looking in to.

No one has ever mentioned it. It would be no different than using a 9". You would have different wheel bolt patterns front to rear so you would need to carry 2 spares.

Except there just as strong but use less power. And they could be closer to the same length as our rearends then the full size 9 inches. And the after market is hugh for them.

Make sure you post up measurements and pics.

Will do

Hmm, this could be an interesting swap.

I'd think the Aerostar rearend might be a bit narrower than the Astro/Safari. In fact, that may be preferred and then a person could add a set of wheel adapters to bring the bolt patter back to a 5 x 5.

My friend had a Aerostar and it ate the rearend at least twice. They were a factory defect right thru to the mid 90's. I would look at a Dana out of a jeep Cherokee before a ford 8.8 I just don't think there is a big enough trade up in strength over the stock unit for the amount of work involved.

I'm not trying to be rain on your parade but aerostars have a bad rep for a reason.

Was his a 7.5 because there are mustangs in the 8s with 8.8s in them around here. Most articles compare them to the chevy 12 bolts for strength and horse power loss.

I was surprised you mentioned the 8.8 in the Aerostar as I didn't figure they ever offered it. (But I never paid any attention either.) But I too have heard great things about the 8.8. It is a popular swap into Jeeps for more strength and I've heard some folks favorably compare it to a Ford 9" as well.

Kidhauler wrote: I'm not trying to be rain on your parade but aerostars have a bad rep for a reason.

Don't tell my Mom! She put over 200K trouble-free miles on hers. She finally traded it off because it did have high miles and she did a lot of solo cross-state trips and was worried about a breakdown.

I was never a fan because they are butt-ugly!

Theres one here at a local wreaking yard with 4.10 open for 250.00. I need to find the time to go put a tape on it and see how close it is. I want to mini tub mine for when I put the t70 setup on.

I don't know what my buddies van had in it for a back end. I just remember everything that could break broke.

For $250, if it is close in width and the pinion is offset to the passenger side 3"-4" I say give it a try. They ran the 8.8's in 1/2 ton trucks and full size Bronco for a while so the axle is proven with heavier vehicles. You can always put an Aussie Locker in it for traction control as long as it's 31 spline.

Ford Explorers with the FWD have 8.8's and posi and 3:73's. If the measurements are good this might be the perfect swap.