Yet another Explorer 8.8 thread...

just ask if they streighten the housing after they weld on it. if they say that its not nessary or look at you weird then run. if they confidently say yes then you might want to give them a shot.

 

I am fixing to do this swap i will take pictures and maybe do a tech article on it when i'm done.
i happened into a whole v8 explorer for $650 so i couldn't pass it up
and i have made most of my money back off of it selling off body parts off of it

 

looking forward to your tech article

 

Well it is in



but I had the housing narrowed
guy that owes the drag strip here did it for $150
& put my new bearing kit in it
I'm still workin on doing the tech article
but if you have any questions i"d be glad to answer them

 

Looks awesome!! I like the Shelby cover.
Did you take 3" out of the long side?
I brought this one home from Florida

 

Looks great. I have an 8.8 now also. I will be attempting the swap but can't seem to find some one to narrow it. Question: If you cut the long side down, how long is the axle afterwards? It looks stock looking at your pic.

 

you use a second short side axle it isn't quite 3" shorter more like 2-7/8

 

to use the short side axle on the long side, you need to cut 2.88 inches out of the long side. i believe maver88 mentioned in another thread that he had torino 9" ends welded on. this requires using 9" axles also. so he could have made the diff any width he wanted. the torino ends match the explorer disk brakes housing end bolt pattern and just require a spacer ring to make up for the backing plate thickness.

 

This sounds more complex than at 1st. So basics, cut 2.88 out the long side and use another short axle. Right?

 

Yup........

 

I'm sure it's a typo, but you said above that to use a short side axle, you cut 2.88" off the short side ?

 

you are correct. the cut needs to be on the long side to make it the same as the short side.

 

If anyone needs a short side axle, I think I've still got one stashed, I'll let it go cheap.

 

I was gonna attempt it myself but I talked to my old boss and he had explorer 8.8 narrowed to go under a S10 blazer w/350 in it and the guy only charged him $150, so I talked to him the next time I was at the drag strip and he said he would do mine for the same price.
I took all the measurements of my factory 8" when I got my new wheels & tires in(15x10 4.5bs 265/50R15) & from wheel flange to wheel flange it needed to come in 1" & thats what I told him to narrow it to.
He welded the tubes to the housing, welded spring perches on with extra bracing, new 9" torino style ends(I bought $60), & installed all new bearings($35 kit) for $150. All I had to do is paint it & order custom axles from Strange at $450 with wheel bearings & studs & spacers included.
After it was narrowed all you have to do to get axles from strange is to fill out their form and call it in with a credit card.
I still have my form with all the measerments of the newly narrowed housing, might scan it on here if u guys want me to

 

That is correct! 31 spline but idk if something stock has the same length 9" axles. Mine were costom peices from Strange