I'm beat.
I worked on my "Super 8" axle today... for 6 hours:
I should explain the "Super 8".
It is going to be a frankenstein axle, made from a combination of Maverick, Mustang, and Explorer parts.
GM is known for it's parts interchangeability, like the steering box from s WS6 Trans-Am bolting into a '67 Camaro... but Ford isn't known for this interchangeability.
Through some sort of anomaly of the universe, I'm building this axle. It started with a special order 5-lug 8" (the measurement of the diameter of the ring gear) axle assembly out of a '72 Maverick. Since there is some parts-interchangeability, I'm using the drop out third member differential from an 8" '65 Mustang, in order to gain a set of 3.55 gears, over the stock Maverick 2.47's. Finally, I'll be using (once I find them) a set of rear disc brakes from a '96 Explorer with an 8.8 axle... as it turns out they literally BOLT on to my Maverick housing.
So, with a few more hours worth of work, and a little more parts scrounging, I should end up with a well built axle that will fit my plan/purpose pretty well, in addition to being quite the upgrade from the stock '70 axle, complete with 2.47 gears and 4-lug drum brakes.
I should get everything all buttoned up by tomorrow, get the axle assembled, painted, and ready to put in the car.
After that, it'll be time to rebuild and upgrade the front end to disc brakes, then to find a set of Cragar Mags or Centerlines to fit my new 5-lug hubs.
