Craig 18 Posted February 7, 2017 The XD is coming this week and i need to be finishing off the 6 to 8 conversion. The previous owner put the 302C in, bolted to the transmission and it runs. Now I'm looking to upgrade the rear end to a much better option than the 6 diff and drum brakes. For the interim the motor and tranny will be left alone but at some point in the future will upgrade the transmission (when it dies) and may fit a stroker kit when the motor's due. The XD's role is a bit of daily/rat rod/cruiser and tow car for the other vehicular toys. I see heaps of E series 6 Cyl conversions being recommended, any advice for the 8 to strengthen the rear end and improve stopping power without going too ridiculous? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CHESTNUTXE 7,310 Posted February 7, 2017 use a ed wagon or ute diff,28 spline axels,4 pinion,and flange connection,try and get the tailshaft as well,or ute,even late model wagon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig 18 Posted February 7, 2017 Thanks! Any reason ED over the later E series? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Polson 10,214 Posted February 7, 2017 Keep in mind your rim sizes - not all 14" rims will fit on EF/L/XH rear brakes. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dunsta87 12 Posted February 8, 2017 I have a 6cyl borg warner in my 351 xw with a c4 auto they are fine if its a 302 auto you will never kill the diff in it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig 18 Posted February 8, 2017 Awesome thanks! The main reason for the upgrade is better braking with the car trailer on. I'm looking at going 15's anyway as the steelies are easier to come by. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerg 10,871 Posted February 8, 2017 Did exactly this on my XE wags, 6 to 8 conversion and everything. What you're doing is right also from a legal point of view. Reason is that disc brake & LSD was mandatory with any V8 option. No real dramas on fitting except for hand brake cable. My diff came out of an XG ute so had the correct length one. Later E-series had metric fittings on the brake lines so you'll have to run an adaptor. Not sure about cables on them either. Up to and including ED had the umbrella type hand brake handle so the cable could well be the same. The upshot of using later E-series diffs is that they're 4-pin 28-spline. EB II onwards from memory. If you can find a Fairmont or XR6 wagon, they're likely to have LSD. If you go down that road, get a tailshaft while you're at it. They have the flat-flange uni joint as opposed to the older yoke/saddle type. Master cyl is the same drum or disc (no valve in the port). 1 Craig reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig 18 Posted February 8, 2017 Thanks gerg. This wagon is supposed to be my entry into the spanner turning hobby (always wanted to do it, never got to it), so wanting to do it properly and safely without going overboard. I'm having trouble sourcing anything before an EF (plenty of EL options too). I'll have a look for the XG option. I'm keen to keep the 14" wheel options open (I think i really want either a set of snowflakes or xd ghia rims on it - or maybe both to give me options, like the mrs with shoes and handbags...). What size rims did you put on the XG rear end? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Polson 10,214 Posted February 8, 2017 I'm having trouble sourcing anything before an EF (plenty of EL options too). I'll have a look for the XG option. I'm keen to keep the 14" wheel options open (I think i really want either a set of snowflakes or xd ghia rims on it - or maybe both to give me options, Snowflakes are 15" and will clear EF/L/XH brakes. Not sure on XD Ghia rim size. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Polson 10,214 Posted February 8, 2017 I'm having trouble sourcing anything before an EF (plenty of EL options too). I'll have a look for the XG option. I'm keen to keep the 14" wheel options open (I think i really want either a set of snowflakes or xd ghia rims on it - or maybe both to give me options, Snowflakes are 15" and will clear EF/L/XH brakes. Not sure on XD Ghia rim size. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ants 6,370 Posted February 8, 2017 14's clear the rear disc's easily. Ea/b/d xg and xh s1 all had 14's on them from factory and ran rear disc's. My wagon runs an eseries diff and i ran 14s on the back briefly. The 4 pinion eseries diffs will take a hiding too, mines now done passes into the 100s and is yet to give trouble, all stock internals too. 3 Thom, Craig and gerg reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ants 6,370 Posted February 8, 2017 Must be some load on the stock axles when it's doing this too lol 1 Craig reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerg 10,871 Posted February 8, 2017 What size rims did you put on the XG rear end? I got EA snowflakes but did the spokes gold, sorta like an ESP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Craig 18 Posted February 9, 2017 That's one good lookin wagon Ants. Thanks everyone for you advice and input.. now to trawl the wreckers for a suitable donor. 1 Ants reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites