Question for xrattiracer on the Ford 7.5 conversion

[flylear45]

I want to ask you about the axle mods required to install the Ford 7.5 diff. I can't quite picture how you are doing the conversion to accept the Merk drive axles. Can you please try explaining it again for me? Sometimes I'm a little slow getting my mind around these things.

I'm thinking you use part of the Merk inner axles and weld them to the Ford inners? Is that right?

Thanks

[Colin]

Are you talking about the Ford 8.8 or the GM 7.5? I don't think anyone has done a Ford 7.5 with IRS...

[flylear45]

Nope, I'm talking about the Ford 7.5. Trust me, it's been done using an early 90's T-bird rear, using the whole rear.

[xrattiracer]

hmm, its been awhile since ive had a chance to look at the stub shafts real closely... I sure wish i had taken pics of them before installation too.
from what i remember, the stock (merk) stub shaft was cut apart such that all that was left was the flange with a hole in the middle. the tbird stubs where cut off such that there was just a shaft left with the spines on one end, smooth cylinder on the other. things where cut to length so as to get the flange as close to the diff as possible once installed without actually hitting it (kinda important, if the flange sticks out too far then the axles will be too long). then the shaft and the flange were machined such that the shaft could be frozen and slipped into the hole in the flange (im not sure what this process is called, but when the shaft warms back up to room temp it will never come apart again). finally a bead was welded on the inside of the flange where the shaft meets the flange.
*Very* stout construction. I have run this setup at the drags all last year with absolutely no problems.
Since its so easy to get the stubs out now (unbolt axle and pry out the stub) I will try to pop one out and take pics of it sometime soon.

[flylear45]

Awesome. Great explanation. I can picture exactly what was done and how it works.

Thanks!