Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Zeusmotorworks

Semi-retired, now just a happy grumpy old man!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2017
Posts
2,370
Reaction score
4,162
Location
Northwest shore of Lake Travis
No, the xfer case and front diff castings are supplied by borgwarner. I have a number of contacts there, will inquire if there’s any way to get a cast iron front member
So, even if I don’t get in on it (yet extremely interested), I’m sure there are plenty of people who run this platform hard enough, modified enough, to need an iron housing. Although it may be a niche market, there’s at least some money to be made there, and or at least bragging rights for a manufacturer.
 
OP
OP
F

full-race geoff

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2012
Posts
107
Reaction score
252
Location
AZ / NJ
Got off a call with my friends at BW engineering, there's no available cast iron housing for the ford IFS 8.8. The only commercially available production cast iron IFS axle housing he's aware of Hummer H3 and older toyotas. The excessive option: $6000+ for a dynatrac IFS; https://dynatracdefense.com/drivetrain-solutions/prorock-60-ifs-irs/

plating that front mount + a beefy axle-girdle cover is where I will start

1727982771205.png
1727982759681.png
 

Zeusmotorworks

Semi-retired, now just a happy grumpy old man!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2017
Posts
2,370
Reaction score
4,162
Location
Northwest shore of Lake Travis
Will that girdled cover fit? The stock cover is already fairly close to the steering rack.
Good question and an interesting cover. Since this is my only Ford, didn't know FP had their version of it. Suspect if it does fit it may have to be installed and fitted off the truck for clearance to set the torque on the tensioners. I can't remember where they would land.
 
OP
OP
F

full-race geoff

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2012
Posts
107
Reaction score
252
Location
AZ / NJ
I’m focused on building the most reliable 3.5L ecoboost engine. All these posts about spun bearings, oil pressure warning lights, cranks and oil pumps are motivating. So I bought a couple engines to disassemble and find wear patterns

1728396996937.jpeg

First I took my gen 1 workhorse (110k miles with twin EFR6258s for 12 years!). picked up a high mileage gen 2 donor engine in poor condition. I will tear it down to inspect the internals for wear and degradation

1728397358637.png

Second, I bought a high mileage gen 3 engine. (Transporters sent me a Nissan rogue motor . Waiting on the gen3 )

Rear axle is setup with 4.88 gears. Front axle will go under the knife Friday. Will figure out diff cover clearance in a week or so
 
Last edited:

mashtastic

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2019
Posts
183
Reaction score
204
Location
las vegas nv
Got off a call with my friends at BW engineering, there's no available cast iron housing for the ford IFS 8.8. The only commercially available production cast iron IFS axle housing he's aware of Hummer H3 and older toyotas. The excessive option: $6000+ for a dynatrac IFS; https://dynatracdefense.com/drivetrain-solutions/prorock-60-ifs-irs/

plating that front mount + a beefy axle-girdle cover is where I will start

View attachment 469199
View attachment 469198


It can be done with the right cover.
 
OP
OP
F

full-race geoff

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2012
Posts
107
Reaction score
252
Location
AZ / NJ
Small midweek update:

Gen2 engine torn down and documented today. Oil light was flickering when it was pulled out so I was expecting the worst. But the bottom end was in remarkably clean condition. And the oil pressure sender tested fine. I Will create a short video showing the key takeaways. Overall the Crank pulley was bad and oil pump exhibited heavy wear. I will take some close up photos Friday afternoon

1728520132660.jpeg
It’s interesting how these oil pumps are more like power steering pumps than traditional Gerotor oil pumps. Also interesting ford did not change the design for the gen3.

1728520233865.jpeg
Gen3 engine finally arrived at Full Race late afternoon. After getting incorrectly shipped a Nissan rogue engine, this was a relief.

1728519952805.jpeg

junkyard front diff will get dropped off tomorrow for a new torsen and yukon 4.88s. These aluminum front axles are so lightweight and puny compared to the rear axle. It’s no surprise they break, eventually would like a beefier case

1728519656118.jpeg
Still undecided on whether the aftermarket diff cover / girdle bolts actually do anything?

Im inclined to go with the spicer cast iron diff cover for rigidity. although I’m pretty sure the thick aluminum ford or b&m is not easy to deflect. Don’t have much time to spend on this at the moment so will keep it simple and keep moving
 
Last edited:

downforce137

FRF Addict
Joined
Jan 5, 2016
Posts
2,132
Reaction score
3,033
Location
In Diana
junkyard front diff will get dropped off tomorrow for a new torsen and yukon 4.88s. These aluminum front axles are so lightweight and puny compared to the rear axle. It’s no surprise they break, eventually would like a beefier case

View attachment 469891
Still undecided on whether the aftermarket diff cover / girdle bolts actually do anything?

Im inclined to go with the spicer cast iron diff cover for rigidity. although I’m pretty sure the thick aluminum ford or b&m is not easy to deflect. Don’t have much time to spend on this at the moment so will keep it simple and keep moving

you'll have to take quite a bit off the ford racing cover to clear the steering rack.

if i did it over again, Id do the spicer or ARB cover, both of which confirmed to fit on this forum..
 
Top