I was reading something that said that the 94-98 rear is 1 inch shorter than the 99-04, but both are a 8.8

does anyone know if a 99-04 will swap right into a 94-98?

 

It'll swap, but it'll push your wheels out by however much longer it is on each side.

 

There is a difference between the rear LCA bolts, 94-98 I beleive is 12mm and 99-04 is 14mm.

 

I do believe that the pre-new edge rear is a little shorter, but I don't know if it was a full inch or not. They should be direct replacements for each other, so you shouldn't have any problems there.

Unless you can pick up a really good deal, it seems like a lot to spend to push the wheels out 1/2" on each side. Why not just get wheel spacers and longer studs?

 

I just picked up a sean hyland book,

"94-98 mustang gt and cobra had the 8.8 inch ring gear solid axle, while the 99-04 gt and mach 1 had a wider track version of the same solid axle"

(not sure where i read 1 inch)

I just kinda figured that extra room can only help with grip and getting that power down.

 

I just picked up a sean hyland book,

"94-98 mustang gt and cobra had the 8.8 inch ring gear solid axle, while the 99-04 gt and mach 1 had a wider track version of the same solid axle"

(not sure where i read 1 inch)

I just kinda figured that extra room can only help with grip and getting that power down.

 

I have a 98 axle on my 03 with 25mm spacers on both sides which bring the axle ends out just a tit further than the stock 03 axle and looks way better. They are 1"-ish shorter per side than 99-04. The 96-98 RLCA's use 12mm shank bolts at the front of the RLCA, 99-04 use 14mm shank bolts. You can drill out the 12mm holes for 14mm holes or use the control arms from your year, either way.

You will notice an improvement in rear grip especially during corner exits (it's harder to turn). It seemed easier to drift the back end with the wider tire spacing. The 96-98 axles look like *** all sucked in like they are out of the box. Truth be told though I'd simplify your life and use 30mm spacers if you don't have to replace the center section.