8.8 rear end differance

[troymn]

Hi, Looking at updating from a 7.5 to a 8.8 limited slip on a 1997. I plan on a ranger axle not explorer. My question is what is different with the newer axles (say a 2002)? I look at car-part.com and it will combined 94-97 and 98-02. Is it the abs connector? Will it bolt up and will the cables for the e brake work? If not what needs to be changed to make it work correctly. Thank you for any help!

 

[hoosier1104]

The tech library is awesome and is your friend.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-7_5-axle.shtml

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Ford-8_8-axle.shtml

and because I care about you

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/explorer_8-8_swap_no_welding.shtml

I am your Broda.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

E-brake cables will work just fine assuming you are just swapping a drum brake axle for a drum brake axle. And as long as it's an axle out of a Ranger and into a Ranger, it should bolt up. Not sure about the ABS sensor, but it likely may be the same. If not, you may be able to swap your ABS sensor in.

I swapped an 8.8 in my Ranger long ago. 2000 Ranger and I don't remember what year the 8.8 came out of. Everything connected up just fine and I was able to swap over my nearly new drum brakes since my 7.5 had the 10" drums like the 8.8. If you have the smaller drums, you may need new brake hardware.

When you get into an 8.8 out of an Explorer, it gets tricky. Early Explorers used drum brakes and later Explorers used disk brakes. Naturally, if you convert to disks, you'll probably need new brake cables and you'll have to do some work on the brakes. The other issue with Explorer axles is that the spring perches need to be flipped since the Explorer runs spring-under-axle instead of spring-over-axle like Rangers.

 

[troymn]

Thanks for the help!

 

[trail B2]

One thing to keep in mind to is the 31 spline has a lot more aftermarket support.If your going to put any kind of locking system in the rear much bigger selection and a lot better prices in 31 spline.

 

[troymn]

Cool thanks!

 

[holyford86]

Differences between the 93-97 and 98-00 are small, the parking brake hardware changed a bit depending on year and the hub pilot diameter is larger starting in 98. Pinion flange is the same, as are the number of teeth on the abs tone ring.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[troymn]

Thank you!