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
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.
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).
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..
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...
I used one but had it narrowed see my build thread http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=91200 and this one http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=48832 has lots of 8.8 info
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.
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.