Explorer 8.8 in a 1966

[joedokes28]

I have a line on a 1999 Explorer 8.8 for $400. This rear has 35K miles on it, limited slip, 3.73's and is in overall great condition.

The car currently has an 8" with drums in it. How much additionally am I going to have to spend to make this work and is it worth the trouble?

 

[golf4283]

IMHO not worth the trouble. Sadly I've gone through many different attempts at swaps until finally going through with a versailles swap. It's all just a huge headache and you're probably better off just starting with a bare 9" housing that will fit your car and working off of that.

I wish I had done that. I would have saved hundreds.

Just my .02 though.

To do the swap you will need to cut down the longer axle tube, get new axles, re-weld the spring perches. adapt the brake lines. It's too much to do i think. plus you're already spending 400 just for the unit itself before all the work that needs to be done.

 

[joedokes28]

I know there is a bunch of work to be done, but it seems like a cheap way to get Discs, LSD, and bit more efficiency and strength. Hopefully some others will chime in.

 

[wicked93gs]

I have an 8.8 out of an 84 lincoln in my 66, just had to reweld the perches, otherwise it went right in...the only downside is its an open diff with some horrible 2.somthing gears(but only until I get around to changing it) it does have rear disc though

 

[joedokes28]

I guess $400 does seem a bit steep. It would be worth it if it would just bolt in but that's not the case.

 

[golf4283]

the 8.8 out of the lincoln is not like the exporer. In order to make up for the transfer case coming out of the trans, the center of the rear-end is off centered. This makes one axle longer than the other.

This is why it's more of a hassle becuase you have to disassemble the entire thing, cut an axle tube, re-weld it etc. I would say maybe take a look at the 93-98 8.8's out of mustangs. Probably an easier swap to get disc brakes, then you're just playing around with wheel offsets.

Take a look at the explorer disc conversion kits though. They're cheap and a good alternative to doing an entire rear-end swap.

I know ford makes a pretty cheap explorer based swap.

please trust me though that it's more hassle than anything. I made the mistake of thinking I could do it.

 

[65 fastback]

Someone on one of the forums stocks the correct axle tubes and axles for this swap. If I find it I will post a link. Have you checked in the FAQ's on rear end swaps?

Tim

 

[tweet66]

I just finished putting an 8.8 in my Bronco II, for the V8 conversion and while doing the swap I thought about putting one in my 66 coupe. There is an offset to the pinion but it doens't seem like much more then what's on the 8" in the coupe now. The rear driveshaft comes directly out of the rear/center of the transfer case. The only offset is for the front driveshaft. I did measure the housing (flange to flange) and it's the same as a 67/8 Mustang rear 8" housing which works in my situation as I'm running late model wheels requiring a 1" spacer. This rear was out of a 92 Exploder with the big 10" x 2.5" drums so I'm not sure if there were any changes with the rear disc setup or the way the transfers case works in the newer models. Got the whole assembly for $100 at a local u-pull-it yard. I'm going to grab another to test fit it in the coupe.

 

[joedokes28]

Not enough info on the 8.8 in the FAQ

 

[mrmustangman357]

okay i did the swap in a 66. here is what you do. please admin make this a sticky so others wont have to ask multiple times

1. disassemble the stock rear. cut off the old perches and swaybar mounts
2. have the LH side axle narrowed to accept a RH length axleshaft. make sure to stuff a rag in the tube so trash doesn't get in your bearings (like mine did)
3. procure another RH side axle and put it in the LH side.
4. get new 3" diameter perches, grind the tips so they fit the 3.25" axletubes, and weld them on
5. Get your existing driveshaft narrowed (mine was 2") and install a conversion U joint 1330 (stock mustang) to 1310 (stock explorer companion flange u joint)

 

[joedokes28]

mrmustangman357, thank you for your post.

What does the WMS to WMS measure out to be once the LH side is shortened? I think stock 66 is 57.25. This is very important as I already have wheels and do want to buy new or use spacers.

 

[brianj5600]

What does the WMS to WMS measure out to be once the LH side is shortened?

56.875"

 

[mrmustangman357]

56.87” (or .38” narrower than stock)

 

[D.Hearne]

The Explorer rear's pinion wasn't offset for a transfer case. The Ranger rears are also offset the same amount, if these were offset for a transfer case, it's news to me. There were 2wd Rangers before the 4wd came out. The Explorer was an outgrowth of the Ranger. The Ranger's frames were offset towards the right too. as was the engine slightly. If anyone wants a short-side Explorer axle, I have one to sell.