Rear axle replacement
 

Ok, just joined the forum and need advice from the gurus. Have a V6 2005 and was hit on pass rear wheel. Bent the axle housing. Sooooo, should I try to salvage the original rear end (3:31 / 7.5) or swap it out with a used (3:31 / 8.8) from a low mileage GT? I'm leaning towards the 8.8 solution.

Swap it for the 8.8 - you get a stronger rear end, plus tlok. It will probably cost you less than repairing the 7.5.

Thanks Jim. Do you know if the driveshaft yoke/flange is the same?

Use your current driveshaft, and as far as the pinion flange it depends upon the year of the 8.8 rear end. If it is from a 2005-10 then you need to swap the pinion flange to the cobra flange (lots of places have it on line). If you are lucky enough to get a rear end from a 2011+ though it is a direct swap to your 2005 driveshaft.

I swapped my 7.5 (one wheel peel) to the 8.8 (posi). Easy if you get the gt driveshaft. Changing the flange requires experience. May damage the pinion crush washer.