[shagadoodle]

Hello I figured out on getting a 8.8 out of a 96-2001 explorer with disc brakes because my pullapart is absolutely full of them because of cash for clunkers. My questions start at my original 7.5 I6 rear end. heres what i was thinking as steps.

put a block in front of front wheels so they don't move (and behind them), jack car up, remove wheels, disconnect brake lines from drums, disconnect ebrake cables, disconnect shocks at the rear end and let them hang out of the way and/or remove them. remove driveshaft.

Here is where i get lost at this part. Do i have to remove the leaf springs? or can i just disconnect the rear end from them and move the rear end out of the way. From what i have read the front eye bolt for the leaf springs is most likely locked up or won't come out and will have to be cut. If i cannot get them out do i have to cut them? I haven't heard this problem on the rear shackles? could i simply disconnect the rear shackles and let it drop down then disconnect the rear end from the leaf springs? Maybe put wheels on the rear end when i disconnect the leaf springs from the shackle and simply lower with the jack and roll the rear end out? Any ideas? I do plan on reusing the leaf springs as they have a nice ride height with the front. also i don't got the $ to replace leaf springs right now. how should i tackle this? i know however i tackle it i will install the reverse way. with the car jacked up and the rear end being supported by a jack do the leaf springs have any pressure on them?

Thanks for your help!

[1965stang]

You've got a good start. Here's what I did:

1. Properly support the car, rear end raised off the ground
2. Disconnect everything (driveshaft, brake lines, etc like you already mentioned)
3. Unbolt the shocks from the spring plates
4. Support the axle (jack stands under the axle on either side, jack under the pumpkin). Unbolt the u bolts that go over the axle and through the spring plates and remove the u bolts and the spring plates.

At this point the only thing supporting the axle is the jack, the stands, and the fact that it is sitting on the leaf springs.

5. Raise the jack some to relieve the pressure from the leaf springs. Very carefully unbolt the rear shackles and drop the leaf springs down from the rear. Watch the axle so it doesn't roll off the jack stands and jack as you lower the leaf springs.

6. I left the rear wheels on, so at this point I just raised the axle from the pumpkin, removed the jacks, lowered the axle back down and rolled the whole thing out from under the car.

Reinstall in reverse.

So, you don't have to remove the leaf springs completely right now unles you're just replacing them all at the same time.

Your other idea of not dropping the leafs and sliding the axle out will work, but the assembly is extremely heavy, you'll have to remove the wheels so you can lift it up and over the springs, and pulling the axle out/putting the new one in will be very ackward to do that way.

My suggestion is just drop the rear shackles, roll out the old, roll in the new and bolt back in. My buddy and I did the entire axle swap in a hour and a half.

[shagadoodle]

pretty sweet im looking forward to having a locker and a fairly strong rear end in my car lol and i this will be the biggest thing i've done to it so far lol so first i plan on removing my rear and driveshaft do my measuring and double check everything at the junk yard to make sure all the stuff i want will work. thanks for your help

[65-2PLUS2]

What year model Mustang are you putting the Explorer rear end into?

[shagadoodle]

1968 coupe i think the width is about 3/8 bigger ...or the same. idk i have heard both.