Yet another Explorer 8.8 thread...

Drew, I have an 8'' auburn pro series new in the box. I have had it for a few years. When you did the disc brake swap, are the rim mounting point wider now? Im looking to do a swap and if so I will sell that limited slip. I really need the wider rearend at least 1 1/2 inches per side.

 

The disc brake setup did make the overall width a little wider, but we're talking maybe 1/4"-3/8" on each side, not much.

I have some 1 1/2" billet wheel spacers if you want 'em though...

 

nope

When doing the disc swap the axles stay where they are. The rim will have the same location as before. Best bang for the buck, grab an explorer 98, order new axles and have it shortened to the length you need. The explorer comes with 31 splined posi carrier which is plenty tough. You can find them with 3.73 or 4.11 gears at the auto yard.

Quick cost break

150 for the rear (may take some hunting to find)
300 for axles
150 to shorten the axle.

Total 600 for 3.73 posi 31 spline rear that can handle most hp apps. WITH! disc brakes!.

 

the brake rotors are about 3x's thicker than the drums and that makes it wider.

you also need to cut off the old leaf sping pads and weld new ones on in the correct location.

 

thanks for the break down, I look at a cowork 98 explorer and the pumpkin looks centered, are some center & others a little to the right? This is one reason I did not put the posi in my 8", cheaper to do a swap with disc brakes, posi, and wider. Do any cobras comes with 31 spline axles?

 

the pinion flange is not centered to the cover. also its only 1.4 inches off center so its hard to see vissualy. all the explorers before the independent rear suspension ones are the same. the only 8.8 mustangs that have 31 spline axles stock are the 05 and newer ones. you can get 31 spline upgrade axles for any of the 8.8 mustang diffs and you can use a posi from and explorer or a f150.

 

Went to the salvage yard today. I found a 95 V8 Explorer with disc brakes/3L73 with 108,000 miles, 00 Explorer V6 discbrakes/3L73 with 154,000 miles, and a Mercury All Wheel drive V8, disc brakes/3L73 with 240,000 miles. I thought 95 did not come with disc brakes, is that correct? Also would it be better to get the axle out of a V8 or is the V6 the same?

 

They're all the same............31 spline axles for all. Get the one with the lowest miles if you're making a choice. The axles should have the least amount of wear on the portion where the axle bearings ride. But if you're buying new axles, it'll make no diffference in that regard. Might also bring along a torque wrench to check the status of the trac-loc clutches. Lock one wheel, then using the torque wrench on a lug nut, see at what point the clutches give when torque is applied to the other wheel. The unit in the 9" I bought for my Comet didn't yeild till it hit 80 ft/lbs. That wasn't bad for a 27 yr old unit.

 

Disc brakes were optional in '95 and prior, became standard in '96.

 

Might also bring along a torque wrench to check the status of the trac-loc clutches. Lock one wheel, then using the torque wrench on a lug nut, see at what point the clutches give when torque is applied to the other wheel. The unit in the 9" I bought for my Comet didn't yeild till it hit 80 ft/lbs. That wasn't bad for a 27 yr old unit.[/QUOTE]

This is new to me. The higher the number the better it is, I suppose, correct?
Do I need anything else like maybe the E-brake cable, swaybar & mounts, driveshaft, or DS joint?

 

the traclock used in the 8.8 wont have as high of a breakaway as the 9" does. i find that the clutches in a 8.8 are worn out pretty early. i wouldnt worry about conditions of the traclock just if it has one or not.

 

This is new to me. The higher the number the better it is, I suppose, correct?
Do I need anything else like maybe the E-brake cable, swaybar & mounts, driveshaft, or DS joint?[/QUOTE]
Yea, the higher the number, the better the clutches will be. Don't know about the E-brake cables, wouldn't hurt to grab em though. The swaybar ? Don't know if that's adaptable to a Mav (if you narrow the rear) Definately grab the companion flange to the rear U joint. If you can't, I've got several extras if you need one. Just pay the shipping and $10 for my time.

 

Okay, so i have an 8.8 now. I did find a 3L73. I had a shop look at the car and they gave me a price of around $500 to do the swap. Does this sound like a good price? I have not gotten a 2nd quote do to the snow that keeps coming and melting then more snow comes, crazy season this year.

 

thats a good price as long as they know what they are doing. the old brackets need to be cut off the housing and the new ones welded on. when they get welded on, the tubes will get pulled towards the welds from the heat. this pulls the ends of the tubes down and that pulls the axle bearing centers off the centerline of the carrier. after the welding the housing needs to be streightened so the axles will be on center again. if this doesnt happen then the limited slip will wear out very fast.

 

That just scared me. I may need to stick with the guy that did my mini tub. He moved the leaf spring perches and rewelded them a while back & no problems so far. He's booked up at the moment. I have never seen these guys fabrication skills. They sure know how to build some serious EFI engines and they have a dyno. I may asked to see some fab work before a make my final answer.