Will this axle work?
#1
Will this axle work?
I'm just making sure I got the right one here, it's supposed to be out of an explorer rear end that will fit a 99, but I want a positive identification of what it is before I start working on it. The axle tag states:
S621A
3L73 88 8609
Can anybody read this and tell me what it's out of? One axle tube measures approx. 17 inch, other measures approx 20 inch. Overall length is approx 4'6.
Pictures:
S621A
3L73 88 8609
Can anybody read this and tell me what it's out of? One axle tube measures approx. 17 inch, other measures approx 20 inch. Overall length is approx 4'6.
Pictures:
Last edited by KooK; 10-02-2007 at 11:46 AM.
#4
#5
#6
#7
Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
the factory traction bars wont work on a SOA will they
Originally Posted by lifted97ranger
i didn't think the 5.0's came with 3.73 gears? i though they all had 3.55 gears?
#8
Yeah, the traction bars were V8 only, but the rear end is getting cracked open, LSD is being rebuilt with 8 clutch packs, I'm going to shove some new 4.10s in the back and I'm aware that I do need to weld on new spring perches. I'm trying to find some anti-wrap perches that I can toss on there and a whole new hardware kit so I can have everything fresh when I bolt it up.
But yeah, I realized this wouldn't be a quick bolt up, that it would require some work. If I get away with getting this done for around $800 (Rebuilt rear, new gears, rebuilt LSD, Spring Perches, Powdercoat, new rear brakes and calipers) I'll be happy. I'm probably going to end up doing a full writeup on it for anybody else in the future.
I would have stayed with my ranger axle, but I plan on using this truck to tow with. I know the engine can handle it, now I know the rear end will, my only concern from here on will be taking it easy on my tranny.
Also, what are you talking about when you mentioned Duffs?
But yeah, I realized this wouldn't be a quick bolt up, that it would require some work. If I get away with getting this done for around $800 (Rebuilt rear, new gears, rebuilt LSD, Spring Perches, Powdercoat, new rear brakes and calipers) I'll be happy. I'm probably going to end up doing a full writeup on it for anybody else in the future.
I would have stayed with my ranger axle, but I plan on using this truck to tow with. I know the engine can handle it, now I know the rear end will, my only concern from here on will be taking it easy on my tranny.
Also, what are you talking about when you mentioned Duffs?
#10
#12
#13
check out http://www.mountainoffroad.com/more.htm and look in their catalog under "axle mounting hardware" for the ford 8.8 install kit. I don't remember if you want part number 98500 or 98600 (different leaf spring widths) but I believe it is 98600, the kit for the XJ. these come with MASSIVE spring perches and shock mounts, u-bolts and u-bolt plates.
#14
#15
Wow, I just wanna say, what a bunch of crap people have been loading me up with so far. It initially sounded like all I had to do was reweld the perches to the top of the axle. Looking at it further, if I want a sway bar, I need to make or modify my own end links or mounts for those, if I want shocks, I've got to make my own mounts for those on the axle because the explorer ones are both mounted in the back, and are attached to the leaf springs. Come to find out, this axle really IS a little longer than my stock axle.
Seriously, how many people have actually gone all the way through with this? I'm going to finish what I've started, but I will never recommend nor do this again. What a bunch of crap information I've gotten from this board so far. Don't get me wrong, some of you have been helpful, but it would have been nice to have gotten information from somebody who has done this/knows what they're talking about.
By the way, the how-to writeup is junk.
Seriously, how many people have actually gone all the way through with this? I'm going to finish what I've started, but I will never recommend nor do this again. What a bunch of crap information I've gotten from this board so far. Don't get me wrong, some of you have been helpful, but it would have been nice to have gotten information from somebody who has done this/knows what they're talking about.
By the way, the how-to writeup is junk.
#16
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Originally Posted by rwenzing
You realize that it is not a direct replacement for a Ranger axle, right? Spring over vs spring under, relocating perches and shock mounts and all that.
#17
#18
Originally Posted by KooK
Wow, I just wanna say, what a bunch of crap people have been loading me up with so far. It initially sounded like all I had to do was reweld the perches to the top of the axle. Looking at it further, if I want a sway bar, I need to make or modify my own end links or mounts for those, if I want shocks, I've got to make my own mounts for those on the axle because the explorer ones are both mounted in the back, and are attached to the leaf springs. Come to find out, this axle really IS a little longer than my stock axle.
Seriously, how many people have actually gone all the way through with this? I'm going to finish what I've started, but I will never recommend nor do this again. What a bunch of crap information I've gotten from this board so far. Don't get me wrong, some of you have been helpful, but it would have been nice to have gotten information from somebody who has done this/knows what they're talking about.
By the way, the how-to writeup is junk.
Seriously, how many people have actually gone all the way through with this? I'm going to finish what I've started, but I will never recommend nor do this again. What a bunch of crap information I've gotten from this board so far. Don't get me wrong, some of you have been helpful, but it would have been nice to have gotten information from somebody who has done this/knows what they're talking about.
By the way, the how-to writeup is junk.
um, all you had to do was asking more questions and someone would have answered them!
The axle is 1.5inchs wider (.75 on each side)
Spring Perches need to be welded on if you want a stock ranger setup
Either Shock tabs are needed, or you could use 2 stock passenger side explorer spring plates
If you looked at the how-to, it was on a lowered truck, so spring perches were not needed, but theres a link on the howto to a discussion about it.
If you need more help, let us know
ScottG
#20
#21
Another question. Is there any reason to weld new shock mounts onto the axle? Any real benefit from that vs the explorers spring plates? Just a quick thought but it seems to me you risk bottoming out the shock easier with the spring plates seeing as I believe they would be mounted up considerably higher.
Am I correct in this assumption?
Am I correct in this assumption?
#22
Originally Posted by KooK
Another question. Is there any reason to weld new shock mounts onto the axle? Any real benefit from that vs the explorers spring plates? Just a quick thought but it seems to me you risk bottoming out the shock easier with the spring plates seeing as I believe they would be mounted up considerably higher.
Am I correct in this assumption?
Am I correct in this assumption?
To use the Ex plate mounts, you would need to run shocks that have a compressed length that considerably shorter than stock- I would guess 6" shorter, possible more. That means that the extended shock length would be shorter than stock by roughly double that amount. This would severely limit wheel travel and could damage the shocks from frequent topping.
Also, the Ex shocks are both behind the axle and the Ranger shocks are staggered. So you'd need to either rearrange the Ex plates for a staggered setup or move one of the upper Ranger mounts.
It seems to me that adding Ranger-style shock mounts to the Explorer axle would be the most straightforward method.
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