Hey guys! I'm growing more and more concerned over the fact I wasn't able to connect either my Bronco II/Ranger nor my Explorer REAR sway bars.

Can I see the set-up on those of you who have an 8.8 or an Explorer rear swap??

Anyone got any ideas on what I should do to prevent body roll with the 8.8?

 

This is a stock 2000 Ranger rear bar on a 2003 Ranger 31-spline 8.8. It's 100% bolt on.







The right side clamp goes right up against the differential housing casting on mine while the left side is about 2" from the housing.

The front mounts should line up with prepunched holes in the frame. The nut on the inside of the frame on the fuel tank side is a bit hard to reach.

Top of passenger side link mounted to frame (behind traction bar):





Front view of PS link:





Front view of PS clamp. Notice that the bolts fit right up against the housing flange and the clamp actually straddles both the axle tube and the diff housing:

 

Yep...that is the Ranger/Bronco II bar I was talking about. However, since the Explorer is set up to have forward mounted shocks, the passenger's side interferes with the shock absorber.

 

Yes, my passenger side shock is also canted forward and the sway bar has a bend in it to accommodate the shock position. The difference is that I have the stock Ranger welded mounts and you have a combination of Ranger and Explorer parts and an axle flip.

 

Yes I figured the welded mounts that come on the Ranger stock 8.8 would make a big difference, but I didn't have a welder or anything to fab up the mounts.

Also...how do you figure I have an axle flip? That is the same set-up as it was when it came out of the Explorer.

 

mine is like Bob's too Tim......i have taken it off if you want it......the only thing i don't have off yet is the links, but you could use the links you have....

 

n.m

 

mine didn't come with any welded mounts either....it has the lose mounts....

 

It's an axle flip compared to the stock Ranger setup that the factory sway bar was designed to fit.

 

I believe he means the welded SHOCK mounts.

David - thank you for the link! This isn't the first time I've thought about the sway bar being installed backwards. I'll give it a shot tomorrow for sure!

 

Gotcha....to the Ranger it's flipped, to the Explorer it's stock.

 

I was talking about welded shock mounts on the axle. He is using the bolt-on Explorer spring plates with the integral shock mounts. That and the flipped axle position puts his shocks in a completely different place relative to the sway bar.

 

There's no way to make the Ex swaybar fit?

 

ahhhh i didn't even notice that.......

 

explorer mounts bolts to welded on plates and then bolts to the frame behind the axle (not infront of like the stock ranger sway) and i THINK you have to drill new frame holes for it

 

mine looks like bob's and it came stock on my truck

 

Bob. You're exactly right. This is also why my Ranger is now sitting a good 6 inches lower in the rear.

I guess I need to start looking for an Explorer flip kit....huh? I was initially considering some Ranger lift shackles, but I don't think that would do it! (2 inches)

 

Correct. I was wondering if there was clearance on the Ranger to adapt it in the stock Explorer position.

 

That's what I was thinking. Based on the other pictures I've seen, and my own recollection, The Explorer's sway bar wraps around BEHIND the differential case.

 

Regular cab Edge/Sport and regular cab 4x4s are the only Rangers that still come with a rear bar. Many other models had them before 1998.

 

hey need for yea the only problem i see is you will need to drill holes.
edit also probly shorter links

 

Not true. I was sporting the 2wd 2000 Ranger Sport reg cab, and it had the 7.5 open with no rear bar.

Yes, but my Ranger/Bronco II rear bar is much thicker, so if I'm going to so much trouble I might as well try to use the Ranger bar backwards.

 

I was wondering if the rearward position of the DS Ranger shock would cause problems with the Ex bar. On the Explorer, both shocks are canted forward.

 

I'm talking about the current Sport which is the new name for the Edge. That's why I said "Edge/Sport".

 

either one id mount the better one too. tryed not to make it sound weird