HELP !!! Installing an Explorer 8.8 Rear End

[Don M.]

I hope nobody minds but I don't own a Ranger or Explorer but I do have an Explorer rear end and want to put it in my '31 Coupe.

I read all the articles I could find and decided that the Explorer rear was good for me so I bought one and a new brake kit, cleaned it all up and got ready to put it in. Now I read all about the offset pinion and how a 2.5+" offset was no problem but then I decided to measure it for myself and found out that when measured side to side the pinion is actually offset 4" to the right and since my transmission is about 1/2" to the left of center I now have a 4.5" offset to the right which will give me quite an angle on a 36" drive shaft.

My questions is. Is there anyone out there that has installed the 8.8 rear end with this kind of angle and how did it work?

My options are of course to completely disaasemble the rear and have the axle tubes cut ( one side 2 7/8" ) longer than the other and flip flop them in order to move the pinion closer to center. I will if I have to but don't really want to go to all that trouble and expense.

Thanks ................

 

[martin]

I don't think it will be a problem. Vertical offsets are often much more than that and it's not a problem, I would just go with it as is.

 

[AgPete139]

Personally, I would do what you have already planned: cut the tubes and we weld for close to 0* offset. It gives less room for driveline vibration in the future and it won't wear as quickly.

It would work though, just throwing the axle in and having 4.5* to the side. But, if you are already going through the trouble to remount the perches, shocks, etc, I would just go that extra step, too. It's a good axle, and you wont be disappointed with the performance.

Try running it, and if it works, it works. If not, modify it for your '31 application...

 

[scotts90ranger]

Personally, I would do what you have already planned: cut the tubes and we weld for close to 0* offset. It gives less room for driveline vibration in the future and it won't wear as quickly.

It would work though, just throwing the axle in and having 4.5* to the side. But, if you are already going through the trouble to remount the perches, shocks, etc, I would just go that extra step, too. It's a good axle, and you wont be disappointed with the performance.

Try running it, and if it works, it works. If not, modify it for your '31 application...

it sounds easy to just cut the tubes, but the shafts would have to be shortened too... the other option would be to narrow the drivers side to the length to use a passenger side shaft which would center it more, might help with the width of the end application as I know most of those older cars aren't all that wide.

 

[Captain Ledd]

...the other option would be to narrow the drivers side to the length to use a passenger side shaft which would center it more, might help with the width of the end application as I know most of those older cars aren't all that wide.

This is what I'd do. That'll take just about 3" out of it.

 

[Don M.]

This is what I'd do. That'll take just about 3" out of it.

Actually it is the perfect width for my car, I can't shorten it any. If I cut the left tube 2 7/8" longer than the right and weld them on opposite sides I should be able to reuse the same axles but just swap from side to side.

With all these axles that have been installed someone somewhere must have first hand knowledge as to whether the 4" offset will work or not.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

It should not be an issue.

 

[Captain Ledd]

If you just did single u-joints on either end (or double cardan CV's on both ends if your feeling $$$) of the driveshaft it should stay in phase even with the offset and throughout the range of travel. Especially one for a car.