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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Sequim
    Posts
    2,117

    Explorer rear axle swap

    So I started on my rear axle swap. I'm going from a eight inch ford to the more modern 8.8" ford.
    My donor vehicle was a 97 Ford Explorer with the V-8 and it had the 8.8" 3:73 posi 31 spline axle under it.
    So from all I've read and measured this should work very well.
    First was to drill out the plug welds on the long side axle tube. Then I pressed out the tube itself chucked it up on the band saw and cut 3" off the tube. Needless to say I did have the axle torn apart at this point. Both axles are 57" WMS to WMS.
    I pressed the tube back in and welded the plugs back up. Now doing this makes the axles the same length so I ordered a short side replacement from rock auto. (85 bucks). All the brakes and rotors go right back on.
    I cut off all the bracket and pieces that are not needed and cleaned it up for testing and mock up.
    At this point I pulled the old eight out from under the delivery to make room for mock up. Here are the two axles next to each other so you all can see them together.
    Looks like I need to change the end of the driveshaft to match the 8.8, larger spring plates and u-bolts will be needed for the larger tube. Mustang ones fit the bill fine. So next step is to fit the axle and set the pinion angle. Then she'll come out for final weld and powder coat. I'll keep you up to date and I'm also cross posting this to my reconstruction has begun thread as well.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    63 Sedan Delivery
    5.0 HO EFI AOD 8" rear

  2. #2
    Looks like fun.

    I asked this previously, but what are the measurements, now that you've done it, center of pinion to left side - and center to right side. Just use the same left/right something you want to measure to, be it backing plate/axle flange/etc.). Does that still match the Falcon 8"? The reason I ask? They usually have differing length axles because the center of the pinion is offset from the housing itself, so you usually factor that in when shortening a rear-end. Equal amounts for each side. If you don't the driveline has to go in that direction too. Just curious still.
    Roger Moore

    63 "Flarechero"
    powered by: 347ci stroker | Tremec T5 | 8" 3:45 TracLoc rear



  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Sequim
    Posts
    2,117
    I'll get those for you tonight Roger. But what I have right now for measurements are 57" WMS to WMS , both axles are now 27&13/16". The old long axle was 30&11/16".
    Initial test fit put everything right back in the same spot as the eight. I'll measure from the center of the pinion. Nut to either the backing plate or the mount surface for both and see what that is. I can't see it so if there is a difference it will be small.
    So far this has been a pretty easy swap and I've spoke to several guys that have done it and it seems to work great. So far so good!
    63 Sedan Delivery
    5.0 HO EFI AOD 8" rear

  4. #4
    I've heard a lot of "I've heard a lot of people say" this last year. Not sure why.

    Here's a not so scientific comparison of what I'm concerned about. Though the pinion angles are not the same between each in the pictures, so the lengths are not going to be the same with each using my dividers, you can see in the 8" the distances between the pinion center to the base of the backing plate is identical (I'm not adjusting the divider at all in these pictures). If you assume the pinion angle tweaks the adjustment I'd need to make to the divider, there is a visible off-set from left to right.

    2016-11-28 13.10.53.jpg
    2016-11-28 13.11.05.jpg
    2016-11-28 13.11.29.jpg
    2016-11-28 13.11.45.jpg
    Roger Moore

    63 "Flarechero"
    powered by: 347ci stroker | Tremec T5 | 8" 3:45 TracLoc rear



  5. #5
    This set of pictures is only of the 8.8" and the divider adjusted to the shortest distance. You can see on the left it is shorter. Your measurements will be more accurate.

    2016-11-28 13.28.09.jpg
    2016-11-28 13.28.30.jpg
    Roger Moore

    63 "Flarechero"
    powered by: 347ci stroker | Tremec T5 | 8" 3:45 TracLoc rear



  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Sequim
    Posts
    2,117
    Finally got the axles measured and it surprised me a bit with what I found. So here is my best description of what I measured.

    8" axle from center of pinion bolt to drivers backing plate= 25&1/2"
    to drivers WMS = 29&1/2"
    to pass backing plate = 25"
    to pass WMS = 28&1/2"

    8.8" axle from center of pinion bolt to drivers backing plate =27"
    to drivers WMS =29&1/2"
    to pass backing plate =25&1/2"
    to pass WMS = 28&1/2"
    So it looks like the WMS to WMS is exactly the same on both axles, the difference is in the drum thickness vs the disc brake thickness.
    The only measure me I wish I would have done and wil do is put a tape from WMS to WMS and see if the pinion nut is the same between both axles.
    Let me know if you see anything I am missing or misinterpreting.
    63 Sedan Delivery
    5.0 HO EFI AOD 8" rear

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