Well as the title states, my rear is making all kinds of funky noises and vibrations... Didn't realize it until just tonight when I shifted from D into R and an extremely loud clank came from the *** of the truck. Shifted it a few more times, and had a buddy look underneath to find that my driveshaft can turn almost a half revolution when I shift between D and R... My plan? Explorer 8.8 w/ discs. My questions... A LOT. Any modifications to fit it into the truck aside from the ebrake (which isn't connected now anyways)? Shock mounts, leaf perches, etc... have to be relocated? I know the gears on my truck, but are the codes different for the axles on Explorers? What years would be best to use? And lastly, any of the local guys want to come give me a hand with this swap when I go to do it? My buddy's got a welder, grinders and air tools, so I should be alright with that unless something special needs to be used. Which brings up the next question...what tools are necessary? And about how long would it take a good, car smart welder and a shadetree mechanic to do all this?

 

leaf perches have to be cut/rewelded

 

Is that all that needs to be cut/welded? Shock mounts are fine? Explorers are common at Harry's and usually don't get beaten so I'm not too concerned with rebuilding it... Just the mounts.

 

Explorer lower shock mounts are found on the u-bolt plates since it has a spring under configuration. They sell OEM shock mounts you can weld on the axle on Broncograveyard.com. As for Leaf spring perches, leave the old ones where they're at and get BallisticFabrication or RuffStuffSpecialties perches. Hell of a lot more beefy. You will also need different u-bolts AND u-bolt plates as the axle diameter is now 3.25. Other than that, it'll bolt in. You might need to adj. the master cyl piston or grab a 96+ explorer master cyl

The axle codes for explorers ARE different.

 

That's what I thought... Anyone know what the code is for the rear with 4.10 gears? Brad, do you have any links to the things I'll need? My phone's kinda retarded...

 

Soooo....anyone else have some insight? I need the gearing codes, and one of my friends told me one of the years of Explorers had a posi in em? Anyone know what year if that's true?

 

Gear codes are usually on the rear axle and very obvious. There's a lil tag on mine that in the code says "4.10". Good idea on the disc brakes though, you will definitely enjoy

 

Yeah, my drums are ridiculous... I hate em. Pain in the *** to replace.

 

Code Description Capacity Ratio
Bronco II
42 Regular 2640 3.45
44 Regular 2640 3.73
47 Regular 2500 4.10
D2 Limited Slip 2500 3.45
D4 Limited Slip 2640 3.73
D7 Limited Slip 2500 4.10
Ranger
72 Regular 2200 3.08
74 Regular 2200 3.45
82 Regular 2700 3.08
84 Regular 2700 3.45
85 Regular 2750 3.55
86 Regular 2700 3.73
87 Regular 2700 4.10
96 Regular 3200 3.73
F4 Limited Slip 2700 3.45
F5 Limited Slip 2750 3.55
F6 Limited Slip 2700 3.73
F7 Limited Slip 2700 4.10
K6 Limited Slip 3200 4.10
Explorer
43 Open 3200 3.08
41 Open 3200 3.27
42 Open 4.10
46 Open 3.73
45 Open 3200 3.55
D4 Limited Slip 3200 3.73
D2 Limited Slip 4.10
L73 Limited Slip 3.73

 

 

D2 for a limited slip and 42 for open 4.10s 96+ for 4.10s and disk brakes. Check for pinion slop in the explorer axles as well before buying 8.8's are notorious for it.

 

Keep us updated with the swap!

 

it would probably take the better part of a weekend to do the swap

 

Eh, a weekend ain't bad. How would I check for "slop" in the pinion? Twisting the driveshaft? And I sure will keep it updated.

 

Okay, another question... What do I have to do with the brake lines in order to make them fit? I know that the ebrake cable needs extending, but what about brake lines?

 

Soft hose bolts right up

 

you dont need to change your proprtioning valves or anything?

 

If you are pulling the axle from a donor at a junkyard take the master cylinder as well its bolt in plug and play. Otherwise the rears do not get enough fluid.

 

Post #4. I suggested swapping to a explorer Master Cyl.

 

Brad, what did you have to do for it? I definitely need a rear...took her to the shop this morning and they said it all had play in it. Sooo....probably gonna go get myself an axle tomorrow. Anyone around my area want to come with me? Probably Harry's around noon.

 

GL finding one at Harrys w/ 4.10s in it. All I've did was adjust the stroke of my stock piston.

 

Well, we'll see. If not there, then somewhere else. You want to come down and give my buddy and I a hand with the install next weekend?

 

Not really, no.

 

I'll throw in some gas money for you if you would? I'd just be more comfortable with someone there that actually knows exactly what to do. But if not, it's cool man.

 

Could you get me a link to the shock mounts and leaf perches? I'm not sure what to look for on bgy.com.