I just picked up an axle from a 99 Exploder. 3.55 open and disc brakes so I figured I might as well start a build thread for it.

I already have it stripped down and started cleaning it up. I'm painting the calipers red, the backing plates and housing black, and getting a new diff cover. I still need a new set of gears and an LSD.
And what its going in:

 

Stripped pics, and my findings.
Needs rotors, pads, parking brake shoes and hardware:






Need to clean up my backing plates:


Gears are alright, just not what I need, its a 3.55 open:





Bearings are good too:




Stripped:


I got the mounts cut off, I just have to have a buddy weld the perches on the top, paint it up, and reassemble it.
I did paint the calipers though:

 

Looking good man

 

Thanks, tuesday the perches and shock mounts are getting welded on and then I'll be painting it.

 

looks great so far! IMO id get a aussie or some type of locker for that open carrier.

forget the limited slip

 

Yea, but right now its all about price. I might get a Detroit Truetrac tho.

 

lockers are cheaper than one of those.

259 for an explorer one

http://www.offroadlockers.com/make.p.../7e54/06/.html

 

I'm a lil worried whne i go try and pick mine up tomorrow, i'd be stuck with a limited slip unit....i want to try and find a 4.10 open...that way i will be able to rock it w/ 35's for now, AND install a lunchbox in the open carrier..


Nice progress man...paying attention to this thread...

 

I might pick one of those up.

 

Buy a locker, Truetracs are nice, especially if you plan on driving mostly on the street, but the traction is definitely not as good as having a locker in there.

 

Nice I will be getting one of these axles by years end!

 

Gutted and cleaned:

The finished total is going to be about $627.99 at the most. It all depends on what I can find at the Pick-n-Pull. Right now the perches and shock mounts are getting welded on. So it will be a while...

 

looks great so far,keep us posted

 

Thanks, and I'll keep ya'll posted.

 

that is sweet man. i have wanted to do this with my truck but i dont have the know how or the tools.

 

I might end up getting a used Trac-Loc from the Pick-n-Pull. Right now its all about money and thats the cheapest way to go. And I'll probably wind up reusing the rotors and pads till I can get new ones...

 

subscribed!!

Good work.

 

Dude, at least have the rotors turned and buy a set of brake pads, for your safety and everyone else's.

 

^Thats what I plan to do, the pads have some material left, but better safe than sorry. I'm just going to buy cheap ceramics for now though. Sorry about the slow progress, just doing it when I have the cash.

 

Those rotors and pads were bunk man wait and get new ones take your time save the flow and do it right the first time

 

I know, when I get the cash there getting replaced, but first I got to get a new carrier and gears. If anyone wants to donate I'm willing to trade.

 

Yea.....do it right the first time. rotors and pads for that are cheap!



I am a big fan of http://rockauto.com/

 

Thats a good site, but I also get 20% off anything at Advance Auto.

 

UPDATE:
I'll be checking on the housing to make sure everything is in place, if so then I'll be painting it. Any suggestions on what type of paint I should use?

 

I just subscribed. Im curious as to how you plan to hook up the parking brake...

as for the paint, i would maybe try Chassis saver or POR15, those will permanently stop rust.