Explorer rear ends?

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Pony Express, Jul 8, 2013.

  1. Pony Express

    Pony Express Haul'in @**

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    I thought I'd read that explorer rear ends are suitable replacements for the Maverick/Comet; have I dreamt this, seen it on another forum, or is it possible/true? :16suspect
     
  2. Dave B

    Dave B I like Mavericks!

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    All depends on what you're looking for? As a direct bolt in...not really, but some guys have put them in without worrying about the pinion offset, other have cut the long side down..
    I have one I'm going to use.
     
  3. Pony Express

    Pony Express Haul'in @**

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    Suitable replacement AND disc brakes; you've confirmed this. Thanks.
     
  4. jsmithink

    jsmithink Member

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    I put one in mine. You don't need to narrow it if you run the correct offset wheels and modify the driveshaft tunnel. I have 18x10 wheels under the back of mine with no spacers or wheel well modifications (except removal of the axle snubber and bracket).
     
  5. mean_maverick

    mean_maverick Senior Member

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    along with having 3.55 or 3.73 gears, and 90%+ of them are Limited-slip
     
  6. Pony Express

    Pony Express Haul'in @**

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    Thanks, gentlemen!
     
  7. mavgrab302

    mavgrab302 MCCI Florida State Rep

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    The only thing I don't like about the explorer rear is no one makes a c-clip eliminator kit for it.. They make one for a mustang 8.8 but it will not work on the explorer 8.8 for some reason... So if your hard on the rear you risk loosing a back tire if the axle breaks... I'm sure most of us wont be that aggressive on them, but I like the fuzzy feeling knowing the retainer will keep my wheel in place... I have a 3.73 geared trac-loc 8.8 sitting in my garage that I'm probably not going to use..
     
  8. Joe Dirt

    Joe Dirt BBF life

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    the disc brakes will reatain the axle in the event of a brolen axlr
     
  9. RASelkirk

    RASelkirk Retired!

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    Wonder if there's an off-the-shelf sealed bearing that could be used with a pressed-on collar like the 8"/9" uses? A Torino style retainer plate would bolt right up to the explorer flange.

    I never liked the idea of the axle surface being the inner race, my son had to abandon his Crown Vic 450 miles from home last year because the bearing rollers ate into the axle far enough to spew all the diff grease out...
     
  10. maver88

    maver88 Nick Taurone

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  11. jsmithink

    jsmithink Member

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    I think there is a bigger risk of spinning an axle tube (seen it done) than breaking an axle...and preventing a spun tube takes all of a minute and a welder!

    I have a narrowed one as well, sits under my 61 Comet.
     
  12. Bryant

    Bryant forgot more than learned

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    the best way to solve the c clip axle problem on an explorer rear end is to weld put 9" torino housing ends on and get a custom set of axles made. this way you can still use the explorer disk brakes. you get the big 9" ford axle bearing and you can make it what ever length you want.

    once you get into this level of building an 8.8 its gets really close to the cost of buying direct fit 9" housing and axles from currie, strange, or moser. by the way the strange stuff is by far the best of the 3 and really close in price. then you can put used explorer disk brakes on it and find a good used 9" third member or buy a new one.
     

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