Swapping a 8.8 rear from a explorer in my 88 ranger

Welpracing · May 31, 2016

I finally got me a donor explorer to use the rear differential assembly out of. the explorer is a 99 eddie bauer edition 2wd. if I am reading the tags correctly it is a 8.8 with 4.10 gears and disc brakes.

I am going to install this in my 88 ranger. my ranger is equipped with 4.10 gearing previously in the 7.5 diff. what all will I have to change besides just bolting it in. will I need to do something different with the driveshaft or ujoints? how do I need to change my brake lines and do I need to swap the proportioning valve? anything else?

adsm08 · May 31, 2016

The spring perches need flipped and shock tabs added, unless you want 4 inches of drop in the rear.

Driveshaft will need a conversion joint, or replaced with a 91+shaft.

I swapped out my master cylinder for one from a non-ABS, non-cruise 95 Explorer. It bolted right up to the booster, but required some line adapters to work. It dealt with the proportioning issue.

Brakes lines are easy. Keep 100% of your existing line setup EXCEPT the following.

Get two right hand side brake hoses that go onto the calipers. These will go onto the hard lines coming out of your existing splitter block on top of the diff. Now the hard lines were meant to go all the way to the wheels, the hoses are about 8 inches long. You will need to take an appropriate amount off the hard lines and re-flare them. When I did the swap 4 years ago I was unable to fine hard lines of the correct length.

BLOODBANE · Jun 2, 2016

Here is a pic of the 8.8 in my 84 (shows one way of doing your shock mounts).

I took it to a welding shop and told them what I needed for the pearches. They set the pinion angle up and put the new ones on top of the axle housing (they come with them under the housing). Its been a while, but if I remember right, I used the hardware from the Explorer (mine is out of a 91 though).
Dont let the spring pearches scare you away from doing the swap...

Welpracing · Jun 3, 2016

not scared of doing just trying to get my ducks in a row before I put her in the shop and go at it and make sure I got everything I need.

Welpracing · Jun 9, 2016

so would I be able to just get a master cylinder from a auto parts store for non-ABS, non-cruise 95 Explorer it should work for me with out proportionating valve?

Welpracing · Jun 12, 2016

also where would everyone recommend getting spring perches from to weld on the top side of the axle?

adsm08 · Jun 12, 2016

Welpracing said:
so would I be able to just get a master cylinder from a auto parts store for non-ABS, non-cruise 95 Explorer it should work for me with out proportionating valve?

That's what I did. I haven't had any issues 4 years in. You just need some line adapters on older Rangers. The Ranger always used double flares. The one port on the Ex uses a bubble flare with a bigger fitting.

Welpracing · Jun 12, 2016

Sweet thanks. Finally got time to crawl under the explorer today and saw what you were meaning by using 2 right side brake hoses and spring perches, and shock mounts like you said.

so again any body got a recommendation of where I should by leaf spring perches and shock mounts that I can weld onto my axle tubes?

the newer ranger drive shaft is a direct swap without modifications? is this true if so what years should I look into?

turbo91xlt · Jun 13, 2016

My local speed shop had the the perches for ~$11 for the pair & ~$14 for the shock mounts. You want a '91 (possibly '90 but definitely '91 at least) or newer drive shaft/pinion flange.

Welpracing · Jun 14, 2016

turbo91xlt said:
My local speed shop had the the perches for ~$11 for the pair & ~$14 for the shock mounts. You want a '91 (possibly '90 but definitely '91 at least) or newer drive shaft/pinion flange.

they got a web page?

turbo91xlt · Jun 15, 2016

Welpracing said:
they got a web page?

https://behrents.com

Parts were made by Allstar Performance.

Welpracing · Jun 15, 2016

turbo91xlt said:
https://behrents.com

Parts were made by Allstar Performance.

I tried finding them on their website but not having much luck. do you know the part numbers for them?

Swapping a 8.8 rear from a explorer in my 88 ranger

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