Got my 8.8 From Explorer, need casting/tag numbers decoded

[Trailrated92]

So I picked up the 8.8 I needed as part of my project from a local Pull It Yard earlier this month for 50 bucks

Problem is all I know is its out of a mid nineties Explorer and nothing else. Even more of a problem is, the day after I picked it up and got it home I had an accident and broke my left leg badly enough that I needed surgery on Valentines Day to fix it and Im now laid up for the next 2 to 3 months !

Im still working on my project with whatever I can do, had a buddy go with me to another yard to get the power bucket seats, dropped all the interior pieces at an upholstery shop yesterday so they could get started, etc.

Here's my question. I need someone to decode all the casting numbers and the numbers on the tag thats attached to the pumpkin so I know EXACTLY what I have and can order the right parts,axles etc for rebuilding it.

This is the info I got off the axle


On the rear there is a small metal tag attached to the diff cover,
On the top of the tag is S616E
Same tag, on bottom portion is 10 88 9601

Looking at the axle housing from the front( d shaft side) stamped into the right side tube is 616E

On the top of the differential center section is stamped
7TW-4025-AC
On the bottom of the differential center section is stamped
18 AF A

If anyone can decode this stuff and tell me what I have that would be great, if not, at least pointing me to the correct resource to figure it out myself would be a big help as an alternative.

 

[Snoranger]

So I picked up the 8.8 I needed as part of my project from a local Pull It Yard earlier this month for 50 bucks


Here's my question. I need someone to decode all the casting numbers and the numbers on the tag thats attached to the pumpkin so I know EXACTLY what I have and can order the right parts,axles etc for rebuilding it.

This is the info I got off the axle


On the rear there is a small metal tag attached to the diff cover,
On the top of the tag is S616E
Same tag, on bottom portion is 4 10 88 9601



If anyone can decode this stuff and tell me what I have that would be great, if not, at least pointing me to the correct resource to figure it out myself would be a big help as an alternative.

There is a number missing. It prob under the head of the bolt. BUT it came from an Ex. So its a 31 spline 8.8. If its disc brake, its from a 95+ (not all 95s had disc from what I've been told). If its drum its a 91-95. Its got 4:10 gears, since thats the only ratio used in the 8.8 that ends in 10. If there is a space before the 10 its open, if there is an L, it limited slip.

 

[Trailrated92]

There is a number missing. It prob under the head of the bolt. BUT it came from an Ex. So its a 31 spline 8.8. If its disc brake, its from a 95+ (not all 95s had disc from what I've been told). If its drum its a 91-95. Its got 4:10 gears, since thats the only ratio used in the 8.8 that ends in 10. If there is a space before the 10 its open, if there is an L, it limited slip.

AWESOME !! Thanks so much for the quick response and help. Its DEFINETLY a 96 or up then, since I wanted it for the rear disc brakes. How would I determine if its a 95 though if some came with disc and some drum ?

great that its a 31 spline 4:10 since thats what I wanted anyway. I'll have to check myself and look for the L. It would be sweet if its a factory locker, but no biggie if it isnt since even if it was factory I was going to replace it anyway.

Any idea what all the other stuff I found means ? Like the numbers stamped on the front of the right side tube and on the top and bottom of the center section ?

 

[Snoranger]

It doesnt matter if its a 95 or 96 with disc, they are the same up to 01. The 2 door and sport trac til '05 (someone correct this date if i'm wrong) are also the same.

I dont know what the rest of the numbers are. Some are casting numbers, but anything you need can be purchased by saying its for a 96 Explorer.

 

[Yellowsplash]

'01 Sport Tracs had a 31-spline 8.8" with DRUM brakes. Its an odd ball...I have one. '02-'05 will have disk brakes.

Also, Ive never seen a 95 explorer without disks...not to say it isnt possible. My '95 exploder has disks.

 

[Snoranger]

'01 Sport Tracs had a 31-spline 8.8" with DRUM brakes. Its an odd ball...I have one. '02-'05 will have disk brakes.

Also, Ive never seen a 95 explorer without disks...not to say it isnt possible. My '95 exploder has disks.

I have never seen a '95 without disc brakes either (I also own a '95 with factory discs). But I read that not all of them have discs on Explorerforums. I dont really believe it, but with Ford, you never know.

As far as the '01 sport trac having drums, It sucks to be you.

J/K --- The '01 sport I stripped had discs. Why would they put discs on one and not the other?!?! You wanna buy a rear disc setup?

 

[Yellowsplash]

I have a junkyard a few mins from my house...not to mention the last 8.8 31-spline I bought went underneath the ranger, so Im good as far as that goes. If I decide to swap one on the ST I can get another for pretty cheap. The only thing that has stopped me besides the downtime is that the current axle is already 4.10 LS.

 

[Snoranger]

I have a junkyard a few mins from my house...not to mention the last 8.8 31-spline I bought went underneath the ranger, so Im good as far as that goes. If I decide to swap one on the ST I can get another for pretty cheap. The only thing that has stopped me besides the downtime is that the current axle is already 4.10 LS.

Its an Explorer rear, the disc swap is bolt on. No need to swap the whole rear.

 

[88_Eddie]

just so you know, you can also look on the ring and pinion itself. sometimes the pinion will have the actual gear ratio on it and sometimes the ring will have some numbers stamped on it......for example, the 3.73 would read 41 11 on it.

 

[Yellowsplash]

Its an Explorer rear, the disc swap is bolt on. No need to swap the whole rear.

And also requires removing the axleshafts and swapping everything out...More than just a "bolt on" affair. I'd have to bring the whole axle assembly home with me anyway to even do this (not gonna take apart an axle in the junkyard). It would be easier just to unbolt the driveshaft and u-bolts and swap em for that matter (either way works though). What I meant was it already has 4.10s and LS, disk brakes are nice, but thats the only upgrade as its already a 31-spline and the strength factor is no longer there. Its not my first swap...Either way, its not on the priority list with what other projects I have to finish.

 

[erikm]

go here http://www.fordification.com/tech/rearends_ford01.htm go to the bottom of the page and find your tag #. "S616E" is a 4.10 non-locker 8.8 1996-2001 explorer, 99-01 mountaineer

 

[Snoranger]

Either way, its not on the priority list with what other projects I have to finish.

I hear you loud and clear on that one!!