Explorer 8.8 Swap U-Bolts

[Vexy]

That is how they do it the local Ford dealership and then they fine tune it from there. Usually it is really close.

Better than shooting from the hip IMO if you are going to do it yourself.

Yep. I might actually save money if I pay someone to do it, seeing as I had to buy the press and a few other tools, but I just hate paying someone to work on MY truck. The only exception is an alignment. The mechanic can have fun with the TTB...

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've learned that alignments aren't a big deal... get the caster set by eye while trying to keep some caster then set the toe with a tape measure at the wheels and check a couple times and call it good. I've had good results with 3 different vehicles I've done this way.

On my explorer 8.8 my friend set up the gears, had a good pattern and everything with the stock shims on the carrier bearings, on my D35 we swapped one of the stock shims with one that he had in his shim box for the carrier bearing, no big deal.

 

[Vexy]

I've learned that alignments aren't a big deal... get the caster set by eye while trying to keep some caster then set the toe with a tape measure at the wheels and check a couple times and call it good. I've had good results with 3 different vehicles I've done this way.

On my explorer 8.8 my friend set up the gears, had a good pattern and everything with the stock shims on the carrier bearings, on my D35 we swapped one of the stock shims with one that he had in his shim box for the carrier bearing, no big deal.

Its the camber that kills me haha.

But yea, I've heard a lot of people saying that the stock shim will get you pretty damn close, so I am hoping that is the case. I just gotta buy a set of Ford Racing 4.56's now.
And I gotta wait over a friggin week for my press to come in. Harbor Freight loves taking their damn time on my orders!

 

[scotts90ranger]

Didn't use a press on mine... the bearings looked fine so we reused them. the ring gear comes out with a punch through the ring gear bolts. The ONE bearing that was a ROYAL PIA on mine was the inner pinion bearing for the D35 because of the oil slinger shim, I ended up completely destroying the threads on the original pinion trying to get the bearing out but ended up destroying the bearing.

 

[Vexy]

Didn't use a press on mine... the bearings looked fine so we reused them. the ring gear comes out with a punch through the ring gear bolts. The ONE bearing that was a ROYAL PIA on mine was the inner pinion bearing for the D35 because of the oil slinger shim, I ended up completely destroying the threads on the original pinion trying to get the bearing out but ended up destroying the bearing.

The only thing I really need the press for is the inner pinion bearing, since the shims go on before the bearing, it needs be removed+installed until you get the correct pinion depth. To make it easier, I am going to hone off .001" at most from the old bearing so it can be pressed on and off with less chance of damaging it. After the depth looks good, I'll take off the old bearing and put on the new one and that's that.

It sounds so easy just typing it up!

 

[jrpdash9]

i got the 8.8 axle swap kit from ruff stuff. its awesome. there really beefy and they are like 120. u can get a coupon code to get it to 118 with shiping

 

[Vexy]

i got the 8.8 axle swap kit from ruff stuff. its awesome. there really beefy and they are like 120. u can get a coupon code to get it to 118 with shiping

Wont work since I have a lift with blocks. I need custom u bolts made. Thanks.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Email RuffStuff and ask if they can make you a kit with longer U bolts. They are very accommodating.

 

[Vexy]

Email RuffStuff and ask if they can make you a kit with longer U bolts. They are very accommodating.

I sent an email to dan on their website. Hopefully they are flexible and can help me out.

 

[Vexy]

Wow, within 60 seconds of each email I sent them, I got a response. They said for $5 extra, they can do it, which is a great deal.
Amazing customer support though, I can't believe it...

 

[kryptonitecb]

Told you , Dan and the RuffStuff guys are helpful. I had questions about a 14 bolt and spent an hour on the phone just talking about the differences in them.

$250 is a steal to get the gears installed. Most shops here wanted ~$350 +parts, Mikes offroad wanted $300 for an install kit. I told him no and helped the people behind me in line to not buy a "lifted shock mount" from the place, a-hole.

Gear installs aren't as difficult as they sound. Its getting the fine tuning done that's a pita. And you need to make sure that fine tuning is dead on the money or you'll be looking for another set of gears later on down the road.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

 

[Vexy]

Told you , Dan and the RuffStuff guys are helpful. I had questions about a 14 bolt and spent an hour on the phone just talking about the differences in them.

$250 is a steal to get the gears installed. Most shops here wanted ~$350 +parts, Mikes offroad wanted $300 for an install kit. I told him no and helped the people behind me in line to not buy a "lifted shock mount" from the place, a-hole.

Gear installs aren't as difficult as they sound. Its getting the fine tuning done that's a pita. And you need to make sure that fine tuning is dead on the money or you'll be looking for another set of gears later on down the road.

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

Yea i'm gonna give them a call after I order my 4.56's and get them set up. It is good to hear that I MIGHT be saving some money by doing the install myself haha.
And I am going to be fine with all the fine tuning, especially since we are having a boring winter... (no snow) Thanks man.