Pics of my nice rear...my 8.8 swap I mean **UPDATED**

[musgofasta]

Exploder 8.8 Rear End swap progress:

Ye Olde 8 inch



Old vs. New Comparison - 8.8 is BEEFY next to the 8 incher


Explorer Shock mount - modified for OE Mustang shocks:


U-Joint to Flange Adaptor Ford P/N E9TZ-4782-B
4 Flange Bolt Ford P/N N800594-S100


My Sexy Rear all put together


Parts list:
Pick-a-Part 1997 Explorer Rear end, including ubolts and shock plates - $81.82 on 1/2 price sale
New Spring Perches - 17.83 Summit Racing
Flange Adaptor 30.03 Ford Dealer (I've heard Spicer 2-2-1379 is the same part)
Flange Bolts - 2.37 Each Ford Dealer
New Rotors and Pads - 84.95 EBay AM-Auto
3 Qts Synth Gear Oil and LSD additive - 60.00!!
New Driver Side Brake line - 15.99 Kragen

Issues -
1. Get the right brake line adaptors to mate the explorer line to the OE hardline, then bleed 'em
2. Have to find the correct Retaining/snap ring for the u-joint inside this adaptor. 1 1/16'' internal snap ring? Where to get these? Should I just buy a new 1310 U-Joint?
3. Passenger side muffler is now VERY close to the driveshaft - need to cut, bend and reweld.
4. Driveshaft length is close to being too long. I have the axle mounted on their most forward perch hole vs the spring bolt, so the entire axle is about .75'' back from the original location. This gives a better shock angle also. Any issues? Wheels look to mount just fine.
5. Get this wimpy 8 inch on Craigslist so it's out of my garage and make some money back.


I'll provide any insight I have into this swap.

Yes the new brake rotors and pads were MORE than I paid for the whole rear end.
Yes, the correct 75W140 Synthetic Gear Oil is 16.99/quart
But for the price of a quality set of gears for the 8 inch, I got taller gear, limited slip, more strength, and rear disks.

And hopefully get $60 for my old rear end and drum brake parts.

[lethal289]

Very cool, thanks for the pics. A rear end swap is in my future, im just not sure which one.

Two questions

1. is the 8.8 shorter then the 8 inch? Im not sure if the pic is decieving.

2. Changing the back to discs, do you need a new master cylinder?

[69 Rustang]

Nice work, I noticed the wheel spacers. Is the axle the same width or could you eliminate the spacers?

[musgofasta]

axle width is the same as a '67-68, so I'll need the spacers, the same as before.

Shouldn't need a new Master Cylinder, it's already a dual bowl. Didn't think about it at all until now.

[Husky44]

Nice work! I expect to see more 8.8 swaps. Mine was pretty easy, same deal--free axle with 4.10 gears and limited slip.

[v8only]

did you do the welding yourself??

how did setting pinion go??

how did you modify the shock mounts??

i'm local, and live 15 minutes from you...wanna help out a fellow stanger in the near future? I'm looking at doing the exact same thing.

[Cruzer]

I like that!

[DaveSanborn]

I have the axle mounted on their most forward perch hole vs the spring bolt, so the entire axle is about .75'' back from the original location. This gives a better shock angle also. Any issues? Wheels look to mount just fine.

Interesting..... I'm curious how the stock type leaf spring will react to this 3/4" adjustment... looking at the top picture (with the spring perches uppermost) are you sure it's only a 3/4" setback? The holes look further apart than that, but it could just be the picture.

If you mounted the axle housing 5" rearward, there would definitely be problems, but I'm not sure how a small 1" amount will effect the springs/handling.

Nice write-up. E-brake?

[obsidianspider]

$81.82 for the rear? Wow, I spent $900 on mine back in 2000 when I did the swap. Doh!

[ZFORCE]

Great job! On my project list too!

I have a disc brake 8.8 from a 95 but have been told it's almost 2 inches wider than the 66 rear end and one more than the 67, would you happen to know specs or link to specs? I see in your first post of the 8.8 that it was a drum brake set up. Can you provide more info on the disc brake conversion? What are the brakes out of and pricing for parts?

[musgofasta]

Axle width is 59.25'' for the Explorer, which is very very close to the '67-'70 width.

'65-66 are 57.25'', so an inch narrower on each side.

Yes I welded the perches myself. Slow process, welding a little, letting it cool, welding somewhere else, letting it cool. I was told this would minimize any warping possibility.

I have the e-brake mocked up using the original cable, but haven't checked it yet. Guess I need a picture of it too.

This was an OEM rear disk brake rear, no conversion necessary.

[mikemstang66]

LOOKS LIKE I JUST ADDED ANOTHER WANT FOR MY FASTBACK

[kechke]

How is the center line offset of the differential compared to the O/E?

[Husky44]

Are you sure you live 15 minutes from me? Corona CA is quite a distance from Alaska.

I'd be glad to help though.

[the joker]

Is the 1310 u joint the one i will need for this swap? I am fixing to do it. I have a 3.73 locker rear from a 95 explorer that I picked up for 74.80 drum to drum. Thanks.