so i stumbled across this today. 100 bucks, 54K




specs, 2001 crown victoria 8.8, 28 spline, 2.73 ratio.

i wonder what my plans may be for this?

 

damn your good!

heres the axle tore down


lucky me, new parking brake shoes!


some parts


i'm not sure if this is going to work. i will need a right side hose for the left side as the left side on the crown vic has the T built into it. i hope the axle shaft will be in the right place.

 

i have done some homework, these should just "bolt" to the ranger tubes.

everything is in good shape, minor cleaning and machining of the rotors.

i wont be cleaning and painting things as i live on a dirt road and will just trash them anyway off roading.

 

it should bolt to the stock 28 spline. i will have to weld a bracket for the hoses and make a tab for the support bracket. i'm hoping to have it done next monday.
parking brake cables will be an issue i'll deal with if i get the swap to work.
they did however leave all the cables intact!

 

the crown vic rotors are almost identical to the explorer rotors. this is promising.

the only concern i have it weather or not the ranger axle shaft is going to be in the right place. we'll see i guess.

 

uh ok kevin lol.

the only part of that axle i am using is the brakes.

 

very thin aluminum cover that is worthless and week.

 

well somewhat bad news, the bolt pattern is a tad different, so some grinding and welding was needed.

all cleaned up and ready to go.


finished product



i had to grind the holes out a tad on the caliper bracket, so for extra measure i just welded it to the housing as well as bolted it. i dont care if its permanent , i even entertained welding it all the way around!


the brake hose bracket i just simply bolted to the spring perch and used a self tapper. then cut the line and re-flared it to a bubble flare. bled the system and all is good


next week i'll see if i can get the parking brake hooked up. i can say this, it stops a lot different now!

 

i welded it because i didn't want the bracket coming loose from the housing. 2 of the 4 bolts fit flush on the bracket.

looked closer at the axle and it was from a 95 crown vic.

 

after driving it for a few days i can say, maybe the best 100 bucks i have spent so far!

now i am wondering if i should get new dirt shields?

 

why? i already have 4.56's and a loc-rite.

that would have been more work welding on spring perches and shock mounts, swapping gears and needing a new locker. and cost way more then 100 bucks.

the explorer rotors are almost identical and so are the pads.

i have maybe 3 hours of my time into this.