8.8 swap in 91 2.3 lower rear end?

[ericm59]

Hey gentlemen, This is my first post so take it easy for the lack of knowledge I may have. I read somewhere that swapping an explorer 8.8 would end up lowering the rear end in upwards of 5", is this true? (can't find where i read it from for the life of me) I don't see how it'd be possible unless they flipped the axle.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The explorer axle is a sua ( spring under axle ) and the ranger is soa ( spring over axle ). So it drops the width of the axle tube plus the spring pack. About 5".

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[ericm59]

Ok thanks a bunch, and with the 91 driveshaft it should be a bolt in procedure? I can weld where it's needed too, no rush for it really.

 

[ericm59]

Also, is it possible to mount the explorer rear w/soa?

 

[redhurricane]

yes, it's possible. ballistic fab makes some nice spring perches, and has shock tabs as well that you will have to weld on as the explorer axle does not have shock tabs (the lower shock mount is incorporated on the OEM u bolt bracket). you'll also have to cut off the explorer sway bar mount on the axle to clear the ranger shock orientation. (one side only).

95-up explorer 8.8 will have disc brakes, a BIG improvement over the drum brakes.

 

[ericm59]

Ok, just some rigging along the way. Is it any sort of "upgrade"? Or improvement in performance? Considering the 2.3 isn't the fastest, is it still worth the swap?


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[redhurricane]

Benefits of the explorer 95+ 8.8:

disc brakes
Limited slip
larger axles and axle tubes
wider overall by 3" hub face to hub face

Overall, a much stronger axle than the 7.5 is.

From my experience, most explorer 8.8's had 3.73 ratios in them. some had 4.10, and depending on the rest of your setup (tire size, transmission, etc.) the lower ratio would be more desirable. I have a 2.3 with 30" tires and the 3.73 ratio and I like the highway rpm speed in 5th gear, but I also have a turbocharged engine and the slightly higher ratio is not an issue for me as I have more power than I can use.

 

[adsm08]

The Explorer 8.8 is a narrower version of the one used in the F-150. The Ranger 8.8 is not as strong.

 

[ericm59]

Would I have to do a frame notch considering it's gonna drop so low?