Need some straight awsers on explorer 8.8 swap

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Hydrocarbon

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Nov 18, 2003

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Medford Oregon

Mar 15, 2004

#1

• Mar 15, 2004

• #1

I'm looking into swapping a 8.8 to replace my 8" 2.73 open. I've heard of people doing this with no problems. On the other hand I've heard that the yoke is off center. I know that I'll have to remount the spring perches to 43". Will I have to modify the axle tubes to make it fit? What else will I have to do the rear-end?

 

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Fostang

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Stockton, Ca

Mar 15, 2004

#2

• Mar 15, 2004

• #2

Stay away from the explorer rear. this is comming straight from a differential guy.

They are called exploder for a reason.

get your self a 79-98 housing and do what you wish as far as brakes are concerned. Everything interchanges since the houses are the same. 94 center track lock units are a little weak because of the first clutch.

I believe to make an explorer rear fit one side needs to be narrowed 2 inches and if you haven't checked how much custom axles are I'd stay away from it.

 

H

Hydrocarbon

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Medford Oregon

Mar 15, 2004

#3

• Mar 15, 2004

• #3

ok so a 8.8 out of a sn95 will work? I thought they were 2" wider then the explorer? So would I have to shorten the axles on a Mustang 8.8?

 

brianj5600

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Sep 19, 2003

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Middle TN

Mar 15, 2004

#4

• Mar 15, 2004

• #4

My fox 8.8 is roughly 59.5 inches, as measured by me. I've heard sn's are longer by 1.25 on each side.

 

F

Fostang

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Mar 15, 2004

#5

• Mar 15, 2004

• #5

Brian is correct. except it is 1.25 total not per side mostly due to the abs spacing needed.


Carbon you have a 69 the exploder rear is better suited for a 66 below if memory serves me.

Also an sn95 rear are centered just like the original rear.

 

6Stang7

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Mar 15, 2004

#6

• Mar 15, 2004

• #6

Fostang said:

They are called exploder for a reason.

Click to expand...

That's what we call them at work all the time.

-Shaun

 

D

D.Hearne

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south louisiana

Mar 15, 2004

#7

• Mar 15, 2004

• #7

The only thing that complicates using an Explorer Rear is the pinion offset, they're offset 4" to the right. I don't know why y'all would call them Exploders, this 8.8 is much tougher than the Stang's 8.8 as it comes with 31 spline axles and has better brakes.

 

F

Fostang

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Mar 16, 2004

#8

• Mar 16, 2004

• #8

too bad the actual trac lok unit is trash.

 

D

D.Hearne

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#9

• Mar 16, 2004

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Mine's not. I pulled mine from a 94 Explorer, and have been using it as is, after narrowing it to 52 inches. The posi works fine.

 

splinterddt

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Florence, CO, U.S.A.

Mar 17, 2004

#10

• Mar 17, 2004

• #10

The Explorer 8.8 is weak and the aluminum housing caused it to eat up bearings, just like Jeep rear ends. If you are planning to upgrade, why not find a 9". They are a hellava lot more durable and reliable compared to the 8.8. Not to mention there is no offset problems.

 

golf4283

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May 30, 2003

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Orland Park, Illinois

Mar 17, 2004

#11

• Mar 17, 2004

• #11

I have an 8.8 out of a 98 explorer and Im gonna be using it my 400+HP car. I foresee no problems with it so far. The 8.8 is a really strong rear-end and half the people that are badmouthing it are not using it. When I do get mine in and start driving the car around I will have a better understanding I guess. I have inspected the rear end and everyhting seems to be very sturdy and strong. The reason I did not go with a 9 inch was price and the fact that the 8.8 comes with a POSI and 3.73 gears and Disc brakes already installed. It's a lot easier IMO.

 

F

Fostang

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#12

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• #12

8.8 is good but not the exploder one.

splinter you thinking independent rear with the aluminum center section.

 

D

D.Hearne

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#13

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• #13

splinterddt said:

The Explorer 8.8 is weak and the aluminum housing caused it to eat up bearings, just like Jeep rear ends. If you are planning to upgrade, why not find a 9". They are a hellava lot more durable and reliable compared to the 8.8. Not to mention there is no offset problems.

Click to expand...

Aluminum housing? What aluminum housing? Mine's all iron. The only aluminum in mine now is the rear main girdle cover. Must be smokin somethin to think there's aluminum in there.

 

D

D.Hearne

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#14

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• #14

And as far as offset 9inch rears, those existed too. Look under any E-series van.

 

splinterddt

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Florence, CO, U.S.A.

Mar 17, 2004

#15

• Mar 17, 2004

• #15

The Ford dealership I work at has had a rash of Explorer rear end problems. This stems from the weak housing "flexing" and this eats up bearings. Odds and end pick-ups have simular problems, by nothing like the Explorer. The posi in the 8.8 is ok. Put too much extra power to it and expect to see parts failures. The 9" w/disc brakes are hard to find. The drum set-up is easier to find and a little bickering at the local salvage yard can get you one fairly cheap. If a posi is the main concern, you can pick up a brand new Power Trac locker for around $300.

 

9

96 DOHC Cobra

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Mar 17, 2004

#16

• Mar 17, 2004

• #16

I don't get it. The Explorer uses the exact same traction lok unit as all the 1/2 ton pickups, vans, and Expeditions. I'm 99% sure the case is the same for all vehicles, just the utility vehicles had the hole for the cross shaft cut for the larger 7/8" pin. I've looked at a lot of Explorer rearends and haven't found one that was damaged.

Fostang said:

too bad the actual trac lok unit is trash.

Click to expand...

 

F

Fostang

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#17

• Mar 17, 2004

• #17

Will get back to you on that...............

 

D

D.Hearne

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#18

• Mar 17, 2004

• #18

I don't see the difference either, the 8.8 in my Ranger has the same housing as the one in my 95 E150 van. neither have been a problem. The Ranger's haas been subjected to 400hp launches, with a posi , 31 spline axles, and 275/60/15 rubber.

 

brianj5600

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Sep 19, 2003

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Mar 17, 2004

#19

• Mar 17, 2004

• #19

Some irs 8.8's had aluminum chunks.

 

golf4283

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May 30, 2003

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Orland Park, Illinois

Mar 18, 2004

#20

• Mar 18, 2004

• #20

Well until my Explorer 8.8 breaks from stress I am just going to keep with it becuase it seems to be a cheap and effective alternative to trying to scrounge up the cash for a 9 inch.