HELP...WHat rear sway bar for 8.8 swap

[turbo nasty]

Hello...joined this board years back when i had a 91 Ranger, 4.0, etc etc. And this site helped a ton with info while I had the truck.

Fast forward and I have a neighbor (recently moved to MN) that I have became good freinds with and hes a older guy that isnt very computer saavy.

Long story short he has a 85 Ranger XLT Explorer (has a cool console and all the bells and whistles) 4x2 that had a 2.3 auto that he bought new and lowered the truck several inches and swapped an 302, C4 over into it 20 years ago.

He kept breaking the 7.5 rear pounding on the truck and needed a 8.8.

I helped him out and we scored a 8.8 out of a 4.0 92 ranger 4x4 with 3.55. I installed a trak loc unit in it and put new bearings and seals in it.
All new poly bushings for rear swaybar.

Axle is bolted in and the factory swaybar fro the 7.5 wont fit. It hits the pumpkin and isnt curved enough to clear and bolt up on the pass side.

The tech on the board gives great info on what year 8.8 swap into what but has no mention of swaybar compatibilty.

The donor truck we got the rear from has no sway bar. Can someone help me as to which models years, etc will work. Also is the end links different for the 8.8 sway bar?

Thanx

 

[turbo nasty]

TTT......Anyone?

 

[AgPete139]

First off, Ford did not offer an Explorer model until 1990. It replaced the Bronco II.

Now, onto the sway bar question: I would imagine that a sway bar from any 1990-1994 Explorer would work in your configuration. The 4.0L Explorers had an 8.8 that came equipped with 10" drums, as did your 1990 Ranger parts truck.

 

[shane96ranger]

Hello...joined this board years back when i had a 91 Ranger, 4.0, etc etc. And this site helped a ton with info while I had the truck.

Fast forward and I have a neighbor (recently moved to MN) that I have became good freinds with and hes a older guy that isnt very computer saavy.

Long story short he has a 85 Ranger XLT Explorer (has a cool console and all the bells and whistles) 4x2 that had a 2.3 auto that he bought new and lowered the truck several inches and swapped an 302, C4 over into it 20 years ago.

He kept breaking the 7.5 rear pounding on the truck and needed a 8.8.

I helped him out and we scored a 8.8 out of a 4.0 92 ranger 4x4 with 3.55. I installed a trak loc unit in it and put new bearings and seals in it.
All new poly bushings for rear swaybar.

Axle is bolted in and the factory swaybar fro the 7.5 wont fit. It hits the pumpkin and isnt curved enough to clear and bolt up on the pass side.

The tech on the board gives great info on what year 8.8 swap into what but has no mention of swaybar compatibilty.

The donor truck we got the rear from has no sway bar. Can someone help me as to which models years, etc will work. Also is the end links different for the 8.8 sway bar?

Thanx

I've seen the 7.5 swaybar work on an 8.8 before. I actually have an 8.8 swaybar on a 7.5 in my trailer, and it fit perfectly. I would guess that your neighbors truck being lowered throws it off a bit.

IIRC, the Explorer Swaybar mounts to the frame behind the axle, which may be a better option for you.

First off, Ford did not offer an Explorer model until 1991. It replaced the Bronco II.

There, I fixed it.

 

[shane96ranger]

Like this:

Borrowed from: http://www.fordrangerforum.com/lowered-suspension/40272-explorer-rear-flip-kit.html

 

[AgPete139]

AH! Thanks, Shane. It worked right in my brain! I thought "4 years for the GenI Explorer.

Let us know if it works, Nasty!

 

[turbo nasty]

First off, Ford did not offer an Explorer model until 1990. It replaced the Bronco II.

Now, onto the sway bar question: I would imagine that a sway bar from any 1990-1994 Explorer would work in your configuration. The 4.0L Explorers had an 8.8 that came equipped with 10" drums, as did your 1990 Ranger parts truck.

Thanx.......we swapped the backing plates and smaller brakes over from the 7.5 since the backing plates on the 8.8 were tweaked and rusted bad (MN salt winters) and the brakes were all new on the 7.5.

 

[turbo nasty]

I've seen the 7.5 swaybar work on an 8.8 before. I actually have an 8.8 swaybar on a 7.5 in my trailer, and it fit perfectly. I would guess that your neighbors truck being lowered throws it off a bit.

IIRC, the Explorer Swaybar mounts to the frame behind the axle, which may be a better option for you.



There, I fixed it.

He tried the rear sway bar from a 90 Ranger 4.0 but he got impatient and tried it while I was at work and said the bends cleard the the pumpkin and hit the shocks and he returned it.
Im going to take a look as routing the 7.5 bar behind, etc maybe an option if we cant get a later model to clear.

 

[turbo nasty]

I've seen the 7.5 swaybar work on an 8.8 before. I actually have an 8.8 swaybar on a 7.5 in my trailer, and it fit perfectly. I would guess that your neighbors truck being lowered throws it off a bit.

IIRC, the Explorer Swaybar mounts to the frame behind the axle, which may be a better option for you.



There, I fixed it.

Thanx for the info

 

[turbo nasty]

Like this:

Borrowed from: http://www.fordrangerforum.com/lowered-suspension/40272-explorer-rear-flip-kit.html

Thanx for the pic!!!!!

 

[turbo nasty]

Mocked up the swaybar and it looks like the 7.5 bar will be a straight forward install with it flipped rearwards. Just drill 2 holes in the frame an install drop links.
And the mounts for the axle it self will clear the pumpkin no problem.

And for the record the top of the line interior package in the 85 Ranger XLT was actually called the "Explorer" it was a interior package that included the center console with teh bucket seats. He has the factory emblems he removed that say Explorer on them stashed somewheres.

 

[94 lngbd]

And for the record the top of the line interior package in the 85 Ranger XLT was actually called the "Explorer" it was a interior package that included the center console with teh bucket seats. He has the factory emblems he removed that say Explorer on them stashed somewheres.

Thats just like alot of people owning older F150-350 that had either Ranger,or Explorer trim on them & they call it a ford explorer or Ford Ranger which there NOT