I got a free 8.8 rear end out of a 2004 grand marquis. The gears in it were trashed but I would be regearing and installing a locker anyways when i go up to 33's. I see most guys using Explorer 8.8's. I was wondering the width differnce between those and the grand marquis/ crown vic.

 

In the time it took you to write this post you could have easily googled "ford 8.8 axle widths" to find that an explorer is 59.5" WMS to WMS. So grab a tape measure and figure out what yours is. ALSO, explorer 8.8's are 31 spline where as a lot of other ones are only 28 spline. I wouldn't put the time and effort into a 28 spline 8.8.

 

The crown vic is 65 inches wide same as a full width truck axle.Its a 28 spline and the way the rear rear suspension mounts with the watts link and 4 control arms it looks like a pain to cut all of that off it.Even it being free i would pass on it and get a Explorer 8.8 those are almost prefect stock width and a lot easier to swap in then the vics would be.

 

OK, I guess I'll take it to the scrap yard and get some cash for it.