I am going back to pull a part on Friday to get my Expo leafs from a Mountaineer. I had the mounting bolts off but I didn't have a deep enough socket for the u-bolt nuts.

What size socket do I need for the u-bolt nuts on a 97-00 Explorer. I need to go pick up a deep socket to get them off.

Oh and it had a really nice rear stabilizer bar for it's 31-spline 8.8 rear axle. If I pull the bar, the bushings, and the links to the frame will it bolt right up to my 31-spline 8.8?

Here are pics of the Expo rear axle for reference:





Thanks.

 

i really need know what size those nuts are by tomorrow before I go to pull a part.

 

Just go an pick up a $10 set of metric deep sockets?

 

no you cant just use the explorer sway bar it mounts behind the axle the ranger one is in front. you can make the ranger one work but i dont remember how.


also are you getting 3 or 4 spring pack leafs?

 

3 i think.

i noticed that the expo axle has special mounts for the sway bar so yeah, nevermind. might just get a hellwig or something later.

so they are metric? i looked around on the explorer forums and i saw 3/16, 18mm, and 1/2. I think 18mm is the winner since metric seems to be it. time to go pick up a deep 18mm socket.

 

i got them today. 4 spring packs.

i found a 4 door 98 4x4 and i grabbed the passenger side easy enough.
the driver side was a mess. someone had broken the bolt head off the rear mounting bolts. i tried to break the mount itself off and i could have cut the bolt if i had a hacksaw with me.

so i went across the yard to a 99 or 00 4 door XLS 4x4 with a 1 inch BL. it was pretty slick. unfortunately it had been mudding not so long before it went to the JY. so i busted out a brush and cleaned up the whole leaf and everything before i PB Blasted all the bolts. this one came off as easily as the passenger side on the 98.

they look identical. because of the year difference one is coded F57A and one is F87A. the 87s metal looks a little different. like it was pressed, heated, or treated differently. who knows. all i know is they look the same.

of course i forgot to check the door codes to see if they were the same but oh well. close enough.

can't wait to go get some u-bolts and put them on. i'll have to do some measurements and make sure the backing plates work.

 

I hear u can use bronco swaybars on rangers...

 

ah yes you can install the explorer anti sway bar in your ranger

just write down the explorer VIN # and order the required mounts that you need

 

sweet. future mod listed!

 

4 spring packs are nice thats what i have give you a nice little lift and better for towing

 

Yep. I got a Bronco II rear sway bar. They are thicker then the stock Ranger ones. Truck doesn't lean at all when cornering.

 

Since I have a regular cab I don't have one at all. Actually, come to think of it why didn't my Level II rear end come with one? Huh, must interfere with the off road awesomeness. Doesn't allow enough flex.

Anyway. I would have to fab up some axle mounts if I wanted an Expo one.