Best year for the Explorer 8.8

[CopyKat]

They are not lockers. They are limited Slip units that use a clutch pack system. They do wear out over time.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Thanks for the heads up, this swap just keeps getting cheaper. I will be about $350 into it assuming the disk brakes don't need any work. The explorer rear end I am getting is a 98 with 100k, I looked at it yesterday and everything appears to be in good condition is there anything I should pay extra attention to prior to paying for it. I have not pulled the back cover yet but they said that they would pull it and take a look. It has the locker as well. I have a question that you guys maybe able to answer, the rear end that just went out on me is a 7.5 with a locker but I have never felt the locker work. I have this pickup for 14 years and drove it over 200k and have always thougth that it had an open diff but the tag indicates its a locker. Are these lockers so mild that you don't notice when they are working?

Ford never put a locker into any of it's RBV's you might have a Trac-Loc which is a clutch type LSD system, and if the clutches are worn out then, yes it can feel just like an open differential...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ford never put a locker into any of it's RBV's you might have a Trac-Loc which is a clutch type LSD system, and if the clutches are worn out then, yes it can feel just like an open differential...

General rule of thumb is after 100k consider them open.

I would stick new clutches ($75ish) and axle seals in it before I installed it. The axle seals are $3 each and since you have to have the axles out to put new clutches in it they are right there.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

General rule of thumb is after 100k consider them open.

I would stick new clutches ($75ish) and axle seals in it before I installed it. The axle seals are $3 each and since you have to have the axles out to put new clutches in it they are right there.

I've had two RBV's with Trac-Loc's; a BII and my Ex, and both had well over 150k miles and the LSD was still tight... I guess I'm just lucky then...

 

[ausm7499]

Sorry about the termanology I understand that these limited slip differentials are not anywhere equivalent to an actual locker. I will consider replacing the seals and clutches. What kind of a job is it to replace the clutches?

 

[ausm7499]

So here is an update, I picked up the rear diff from the junk yard and everything is in really good shape. I had new spring and shock mounts welded on to match my ranger, and everything is sitting im the garage ready to install. One question I have is do I need any different hardware to hook up the emergency brake on these disk brakes. There is not an adjustment bolt on the end of either of these cables like the drum brakes had so I am a little concerned about proper length. Anybody have any experience with this?

 

[Ozwynn]

95-01. After 01 the Explorer went to an independent rear suspension. I've never heard of a 95 Explorer coming with drum brakes.

95 XLS..... we had 2 of them with Drum brakes at Fairchild AFB. And Bill's in Spokane WA had 4 or 5 of them laying around.

General rule of thumb is after 100k consider them open.

I would stick new clutches ($75ish) and axle seals in it before I installed it. The axle seals are $3 each and since you have to have the axles out to put new clutches in it they are right there.

yeah do this.

I've had two RBV's with Trac-Loc's; a BII and my Ex, and both had well over 150k miles and the LSD was still tight... I guess I'm just lucky then...

me too, never had a problem with my 3.73 L/S...... and I beat the crap out of it...... for a daily driver and part time wheeler it is a better way to go.