Ranger / Explorer 8.8 Rear Eng Swap Kit

Hjcraver · Dec 12, 2007

Does anyone make a Bolt-in Kit to Swap an Explorer 8.8 Rear End in place of the stock Ranger Rear End ? I know a lot of people modify the Explorer to fit but its a little trouble to figure out what must be done. Then you have to buy the Spring Saddle Brackets, Shock Mounting Brackets , and then find a Welding shop that you can afford. If their is any interest I would like to develope the kit. Hubert Craver

Mac · Dec 12, 2007

I know a lot of people do the swap but I think for 95% looking for a better rear end, the stock 8.8 Ranger rear is fine. Fits with no proplems and can take a lot of HP.
Mac

Hjcraver · Dec 12, 2007

I cant seem to find an 8.8 for my 93 Ranger, but have found a bunch (over 3 ) of local Explorer's with Posi. Units on Cragslist. I am building a 331 stroker and want to do a little Draging. I want to be sure I dont drop an axle. HJC Clemmons, NC

metalmacguyver · Dec 12, 2007

where are you? i plan on putting an explorer 8.8 in soon. i have a stock 28 spline 8.8 with a LS and 3.73s if your interested. if you are it will give me a reason to swap it sooner.

baddad457 · Dec 13, 2007

Hjcraver said:
Does anyone make a Bolt-in Kit to Swap an Explorer 8.8 Rear End in place of the stock Ranger Rear End ? I know a lot of people modify the Explorer to fit but its a little trouble to figure out what must be done. Then you have to buy the Spring Saddle Brackets, Shock Mounting Brackets , and then find a Welding shop that you can afford. If their is any interest I would like to develope the kit. Hubert Craver

How would you do a bolt on kit for an Explorer 8.8 swap? Spring saddles are upside down, shock brackets have to be welded. At the very least you can mount it as is and lower the truck rear, but then you'll have to do the front. No matter what, you still have to do some mods to bolt it in.

stranger · Dec 13, 2007

or get a rear out of a ranger fx4.

projectnitemare · Dec 13, 2007

If you want to do an Explorer axle with no welding then you will need to buy an axle flip kit. You can find them in pretty much any high performace catalog. Even if you can't weld it will not be that expensive to get the mounts moved. New spring mounts are like $13 from Jegs, if you are careful with a cut off wheel you could save the shock mounts, or just order a few metal tabs and make a new mount. If you have a cut off wheel and a grinder you will be able to remove the old mounts and prep the tubes at home. A shop won't charge very much to lay a few beads if the prep work is all done. You are building a 331, what tire size are you using? A Ranger 8.8 would be fine pretty much is stock form. You might want to add a cover with bearing cap preloads if you are really worried about it. I have a healthy 396W and 35in tires on a Ranger 28 spline; I've beat the truck quite a few times and haven't broke yet. Unless you are after disc brakes there is nothing wrong with the Ranger 8.8.

Matt

Mac · Dec 13, 2007

Hubert, did a quick check on car-part.com and found these down somewhat near you. These are the later models that are 1 1/2" overall wider but then would have lower miles on them. Searched for a 4.10 gear and the 10" brakes.
Mac - hope this helps you find what you need!

2003
Rear Axle
Ford Ranger 8.8,4.10L,ABS,FX4,LEVEL II. 52,492 A 075690 $Call McLambs Auto Salvage, Inc. USA-NC(Fayetteville) E-mail 1-800-682-5238
2003
Rear Axle
Ford Ranger 06/03,4.0,A,XLT,V333 L/LOCKER 81,772 B B78137 $650 Lewisville Motor Company USA-NC(Winston-Salem) E-mail 1-800-722-6711
2005
Rear Axle
Ford Ranger -8.8" RING GEAR, 10" BR, 4.10 RATIO, FX 39,000 R71522 $550.26 LKQ Salisbury USA-NC(Salisbury) E-mail 1-800-422-0348
2003
Rear Axle
Ford Ranger 47,000 L20518 $550 Foss Auto Recycling Lagrange - PRP, PRP-MA USA-NC(LaGrange) Request_Quote 1-800-617-5460 Request_Insurance_Quote

Hjcraver · Dec 13, 2007

Thanks for Information

I appreciate all the previous answers and hope to get more responses. Thanks for your input. Hubert

281Ranger · Dec 13, 2007

'93 was the first year for the wider Ranger rear axle, so the newer rears won't change how the tires sit in the wheelwell. The Explorer rear will set the tires out 3/4" each side.

Check out http://www.bayauto.com/ . They have an 8.8 from a '01 Ranger with 4.10 gears, 10" brakes, and traction lock for about $385 shipped to your door. I bought one from them for $265 (I live closer) and the only thing it needed was new brakes and one drum.

Greg

pineypower1186 · Dec 13, 2007

its not hard or expensive to do a weld on spring perch and make ur own shock mounts. i think it took me and a buddy 3hrs to do mine

svtranger24 · Dec 13, 2007

When I did my swap I just reversed the left and right side shock mounts from the explorer and it seamed to work fine.

Hjcraver · Dec 14, 2007

Great Bunch of Guys

projectnitemare,Mac & 281Ranger , Mac's idea to use the website www.car-part.com hit a home run. I searched for a Ranger 8.8 and found no less than(75) Rears , Posis,Opens, etc within about 75 miles. Prices begin at around $150.00 and up . I never seen so many choices of parts in my life.
pineypower1186 & svtranger24 , Wow, thats some great picturers and really shows good details on whats going on.Looks professional and the Workmanship is 1st Class.My preference is the Explorer w/31 splines which may be the Right Way to go.
v-8 power, Thanks for the info.on how to install a 351W. I read everwhere it wouldnt fit easily . The Total Performance mounts and headers you used were just a walk in the park and what I wanted to here about.
I didnt realize a 351W would fit that easily and since I already have a 393 Stroker kit I'll seriously consider that. Thanks to everyone who posted and I have learned a lot. Please keep the post coming.

Ranger / Explorer 8.8 Rear Eng Swap Kit

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