Ex 8.8 swap

[RavoHimself]

i have a few questions about the swap. i'm planning on switching to 4.10's and i know some of the exploders came with 4.10's stock, so that could save me time and money buying the axle instead of buying gears for my decrepid 8.8 and installing myself. also it will bring my rear about the same width as the front so thats a bonus. i know i have to move the leaf and shock mounts. alright heres my questions

my driveshaft still bolts right up or no? is there anything i need to do because i know its a 31 spline

can i switch do disc brake with out any major mods. my truck doesnt have rear abs to my knowledge so will that be a problem?

if there is anything else that i need to do or tips i will appreciate it

 

[Explorin94]

Look for a 96 and newer Ex axle. Should have the disc brake and if you find it in the JY look to see what the tire size was on it. If it had a 265 stock then it is more than likely the 4.10 gear you want. Your driveshaft is a direct bolt and there is nothing special due to the 31 spline axles. The only thing that you will need to buy and install are the axle to spring perches as the explorers are spring under axle.. They are easy to do if you have a welder. If you do weld them on set it up under your truck and get the correct angle, tack them in place, and weld an inch at a time on different sides so not to warp the axle tubes.

 

[RavoHimself]

good to know. i knew about the perches but thats not a big deal as i have a decent stick welder and i'm pretty good at welding. once i get this and my new front gears ill be all set up for my 4" lift and 33's

 

[4x4junkie]

can i switch do disc brake with out any major mods. my truck doesnt have rear abs to my knowledge so will that be a problem?

Rear ABS has been standard from '89 forward (4WABS starting in '95).

Should be fine, though at the very most you'd have to swap in the master cyl from the Ex (try it with the stock one first though. I still run the stock MC on mine).

 

[RavoHimself]

well i have abs in the front because one time i had to slam the front and the rears locked but not the front. i think it makes more sense for the front to have it so you can still steer. i'll have to try it. whats the worst that could happen? they lock up?

 

[4x4junkie]

Did you retrofit 4WABS onto your '93? because you do NOT have front ABS if you didn't...

The reason for rear ABS is to prevent your truck from swapping ends on the highway if you have to do a panic stop. If only the front wheels should lock, you'll at least still keep going straight-ahead in a forward direction.

 

[RavoHimself]

well i could be wrong, being as i was driving and not looking at my tires, but it felt like the rear locked. and no i did not do anything but my rotors have the abs slot things on them. not sure if thats just the way they all come now but thats why i thought i had front wheel

 

[doyouquaxu]

if you find an axle with 4.10 and drums (like mine was from a sport trac) all of the disc brake hardware bolts right up. all in all, my disc swap cost me 250 for parts (2 new rotors, new pads, and then got calipers, brackets, etc from a junk yard). i have the stock ranger master cylinder and front wheel abs (disconnected now). after bleeding all 4 brakes my pedal is nice and firm. when i only bled the rear brakes it was softer than stock, but i could still mash on the brakes with 33s and slow down perfectly fine. i haven't tried to lock the brakes up yet.

 

[RavoHimself]

did you just swap for discs or did you actually do an axle swap. if i wasnt looking for a regear also i would just switch to disc but i'm looking for 4.10's so if i can find an axle it will be a win win situation. also did you only have front wheel abs or both and you just disconnected the front?