[hydroflame]

Got a great price on a 5 lug 8.8 inch disc brake rear with 31 spline axels out of an explorer (FREE) wondering if anybody else has done the swap? figure i'll shorten it to atleast the 8" i pulled out wondering if i can go a smidge more anybody have any experience with this?
Anything you wish you would have done different?
already plan on buyin axels.
Anything you wish you would have done but you didn't?
throw me a bone guys.

[76steve76]

I put an 8.8 out of a fox body in my 76 cobra. it is about an inch wider 59.75+/- no big deal-pinion is not centered like the 8 in. but I didnt see a problem because it matched the centerline of the engine/trans.

[hydroflame]

i plan on going with 9" style bearing ends so i can shorten that inch. I was wondering if I can go an extra 1/2 inch or so on either side for some extra tire clearance. Should center the rear-end when done.

[76steve76]

I left mine stock width for ease of parts (axles). with the pinion offset it makes the driveline straight. I am trying some late model wheels 16" I think the extra inch will be a big help.
Steve

[T. Hadley]

Originally Posted by 76steve76

I left mine stock width for ease of parts (axles). with the pinion offset it makes the driveline straight. I am trying some late model wheels 16" I think the extra inch will be a big help.
Steve

How is the wheel size going to help?

[hydroflame]

not sure how the extra inch goina help.
i'm shrinkin my 8.8 down to my 8" size at least. wanna be able to fit 275/50/15 drag radials in the back. i picked up the 8.8 this weekend noticed the spring perches are way inboard so thaey are coming off aswell so i can mount new ones i get some good measurements up this weekend.

[hydroflame]

Well ordered the spring perches from calvert racing today.
decided to go with split mono leafs and thier traction control system

i will hopefully be ordering my axels and spool package for a thanksgiving delivery

[J. Rhapsody]

I dont think an Explorer axle would be wise choice. Matter of fact if it ain't Mustang or Fox in general when considering the 8.8 leave it alone inless you have some obsession with 90's car modding. The gokart look with daytons... What about the 89-97(?) T-bird IRS?

[hydroflame]

Does anybody in here actually know anything about cars? that 8.8" is the same what ever you take it out of. I pulled it out of an late model explorer so i can have disc brakes. Did you know that you can shorten a rear end to any size you want? you can buy new spring perches and weld them on to match the current mustang ii locations? why would i put irs on it i going to have have a supercharged 347 and a tremec that irs would be scrap.

[hydroflame]

If the links work from one article i found

[VAMP_77]

Originally Posted by J. Rhapsody

I dont think an Explorer axle would be wise choice. Matter of fact if it ain't Mustang or Fox in general when considering the 8.8 leave it alone inless you have some obsession with 90's car modding. The gokart look with daytons... What about the 89-97(?) T-bird IRS?

First, i'd like to say. Rhapsody, stop smoking that stuff. It'll rot your brain. Second, i honestly think he might be posting in the wrong area.. The 1996-newer Explorers had (as far as i know) a disc brake 8.8 rear end... if this WAS NOT a good idea then WTF are alot of jeeper (jeep people) swapping them in for their crappy dana 35s, AMC 20s and so on?
Hydro, did you check to see if it was a posi ? Personally, i'd gone with the 9" but thats cuz of ease on swapping gears. BUT thats just my 2cents

[hydroflame]

The reason i went with the 8.8 is there are a bagillion 96-2000 explorers out there and the few 9" rears that are in decent shape are in short supply they know what they are worth ( did you see what i paid for the rear ,it was free). You can find any thing you need for these and they are disc brake. i personally was not worried about posi i am thinking detroit locker or full spool since it will be a 60/40 strip/street car. i have a buddy right now putting 1220 hp to the wheel to an 8.8" 33 spline rear do you need to spend the extra fo the 9" or put it some where else? my plan is to fit 275 60 15 drag radials under it, i dont really think they were doing that in the 90's were they? i will post my progress so the real wrench turners in here can see. and by the way
RTCTTFMF

[hydroflame]

Well on Saturday I picked my 8.8" from the chasis guy had it shorten down to the 52" flange to flange mustang II size, put 9"bearing ends on it (instead of c-clip eliminators) and had the axel tubes welded in. if money works out right hopefully axles and spool next week.

[76steve76]

I wonder if anybody knows about cars too. The extra inch will help with wheel offset much like the article says. That is the same swap I did. I wish I could read the article, its a little small and fuzzy but those brackets look great. That would make an easy swap - no more problem to reuse the originals to mount the swaybar and shocks. Are those parts available? Let me know of your progress - send me a private message. I have sone nice T-5 swap pics coming!!

[J. Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by VAMP_77

First, i'd like to say. Rhapsody, stop smoking that stuff. It'll rot your brain. Second, i honestly think he might be posting in the wrong area.. The 1996-newer Explorers had (as far as i know) a disc brake 8.8 rear end... if this WAS NOT a good idea then WTF are alot of jeeper (jeep people) swapping them in for their crappy dana 35s, AMC 20s and so on?
Hydro, did you check to see if it was a posi ? Personally, i'd gone with the 9" but thats cuz of ease on swapping gears. BUT thats just my 2cents

Sorry my main concern was width. That and most cars will have a offset pinion. Whats the use of a Panther 8.8 if it gives you the gokart look that was so famous in the early 90s. Quite alot of them and 94+ 7.5's have rear disc too, nothing wrong with that. Exploders are wider than MIIs, and I think they have a offset pinion. Even the Fox(body) chassis 8.8's are wider but they are the closest to size. If you want to do alot of work to an axle thats fine. Its like trying to fit a T-bird or LS IRS under a fox when the Cobras is a perfect match.