My Explorer Axle swap done (pics)!
 

Well, after waiting for parts to come in the mail and for some free time, my axle swap is finally done. After getting all the parts together, the swap was relatively easy. The truck drives nice and straight. The Aussie locker is very quiet when driving and has good road manners.

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/641/img0477kn2.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6532/img0478ak7.jpg

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6613/img0479mo2.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1817/img0481py0.jpg

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/382/img0482fj8.jpg

Looks awesome.

Is the explorer axle wider then a stock ranger axle? If so can you notice the difference with the width?

^yeah can you get a pic of the back of the truck, im curious to that as well. I like the cover as well, it's different.

Explorer is an 8.8 stock Ranger is 7.5, I always assumed that was width, but you know, I have never seen any unit of measure attached to that quantity.

Explorer is an 8.8 stock Ranger is 7.5, I always assumed that was width, but you know, I have never seen any unit of measure attached to that quantity. Although it's probably diameter of the shafts.

explorer 8.8 is 1.5" wider than ranger 8.8, so .75" each side

edit your first post man..


it came out nice, i like it

as for the diff cover, is that the one thats made out of what, 3/8" steel? i keep forgetting where it came from..

looks great man! very nice!

Yeah, it's from a to z fab, here is the post I made before the paint:

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=48340

Here are a couple more pics so you can get a better idea of the width.


http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/1328/img0483ng2.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6311/img0484wn9.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5912/img0485wl2.jpg

looks good...

you can hardly tell, it looks good.

The numbers 8.8 and 7.5 has nothing to do with the width of the axle what so ever. Thats the ring gear size. Also Rangers come stock with 8.8's. Its just the explorers have a 31 spline 8.8 which is stronger then the rangers 28 spline!

I think the truck looks great. But IMO i think it would look even better with a little wider tire. Those 10.5 inch tires just aren't wide enough for that amount of lift. Wish i had a 31 spline 8.8. Then id be running an OX Locker!

I was just wondering if the bolts came with the cover? The cover I have is counter sunk and the stock bolts don't seem to fit.

i think some 1 1/2 inch wheel spacers would make it look better

looks really good

No, I just went to ace hardware and picked up some longer allen head bolts and lock washers. I also could not fit the stock bolts, and I didnt even want to considering how much thicker the cover is.

I hate when tires stick out from the fender flares. I got skinny tires because I like them tall and skinny.....the same way I like my women.

ok i had a question do the shock point match up when you switch axles, cause i can get one for free, but i dont wanna switch if its gonna be hard work

No, you need to weld on new shock mounts.

Is there anything that you have to do to the brake master cylinder when you switch from drums to disk? I thought drums work on higher pressure than disks. How about the anti-lock system? Any changes there with the RABS gizmo? Just asking, and thanks for the info.

At what point do you trade driving safety with looks? I'd think anything above a stock 4X4 Ranger lift should require a wider stance if anything for stability while manuvering, looks aside. Otherwise you create a very unstable platform for panick manuvering should the occasion occure, and look like a stilt driving down the road. Hell look at the pics on here of lifted Rangers that have rolled over, I don't recall any of them who didn't have wider rim/tires, and look how easily they rolled. How much easier do you think it is with pizza cutters?

Nothing in the rest of the brake system needed to be changed over for the install. As for the anti-lock, I wouldnt know because I do not have abs on my truck.......anymore.

If you have a rear ABS, you are fine with jsut the axle. The explorer master cylinder is recommended (but not always necessary), and if you don't have ABS you definitely need it. Make sure to get the parking brake extensions and hardware. You will need to relocate shock mounts and you will prolly wanna convert to a spring over axle (SOA) setup which requires welding, since it's more reliable.

For 10.25" drums, get a 1991 - 1994 exploder. For discs, get a 95-2001 exploder. After 2001, they have an independant rear suspension and the live axle setups were abolished.

Does this clear up any questions?

I hope that all of you know the differences between the ranger 8.8, ranger 7.5, and explorer 8.8 by now...