I've read a bit on here about how Explorer 8.8 rear ends are an ideal 8.8 swap for the Maverick, but I have an '03 Ranger with a limited slip 8.8 rear end(and drum brakes, if that matters). Would it be better to use the Ranger rear end(free), find an Explorer one somewhere(probably cost a bit), or go with a 9 inch from somewhere? Is there that much(if any) difference between the Ranger and Explorer 8.8? I'm planning a 347 stroker at somewhere around 400hp, so I want a sturdier-than-stock rear end for that extra power. I also currently have no welding knowledge or anything like that, so modifying a rear end to fit the Maverick would be currently beyond my ability, but I do want to learn to weld at some point and won't need the rear end for quite a while, so I may be able to when the time finally comes to do the swap.
You'll find main difference is the explorer has discs and the ranger has drums, otherwise the same rear. - Matt
76maverick250 here some good info on the different 8.8 http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-8_8-axle.shtml
Rangers had 28 spline axles while Explorers had 31 splines. That said, I put a Ranger axle in my turbo-S10 (11.70's @ 117) and never broke it...
