SOA rear...pictures please:)

[94EXPLODER]

Hello
Doing a SOA in the rear of my 94 explorer with an 8.8
Am i going to need different U-bolts, or can the stock still be used..i will not be using blocks....also how did you keep the shock mounts...just place those on top?..I am also buying perches from Tuffstuff so i have nice perches...

Any pictures and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Nick

 

[crawlin91]

you can kinda see the shock mounts in this one. just did em up alot like the stock 7.5 mounts

 

[mjonesjr]

You can use the u-bolts and the spring plates, however you will need to weld on new shock mounts.

Make sure you set the pinion angle to the right angle.

Here is my Explorer 8.8 swap pictures:

 

[CopyKat]

I believe there are kits out there that give you all the parts. F150Hybred did a SOA on his explorer, with a Ruff Stuff kit. He got the spring pads, the clamp plate, shock mounts and all new u-bolts for about $100. Do NOT reuse the old u-bolts.

 

[mjonesjr]

You could also get an axle flip kit (it lowers the rear of a Ranger) and use it on the Explorer axle. I have heard people doing it that way with success.

 

[4x4junkie]

Do NOT reuse the old u-bolts.

Why not?

I reused a set of F-150 U-bolts on mine... Are Ex's somehow different?

You could also get an axle flip kit (it lowers the rear of a Ranger) and use it on the Explorer axle. I have heard people doing it that way with success.

I don't think a Ranger flip kit will work on an Explorer axle (bigger axle tubes).

 

[CopyKat]

Once the torque is applied they stretch. Too many times torqued and they will not spring back and ultimately yield and fail.

For what new U-bolts cost I would never reuse old ones. Around here after 6 months exposed to the elements they are so rusty it's not worth it to keep them. I keep a couple old ones in my wheeling kit. Should I break one I've got some as a spare to get me off the trail.

 

[F150hybred]

I believe there are kits out there that give you all the parts. F150Hybred did a SOA on his explorer, with a Ruff Stuff kit. He got the spring pads, the clamp plate, shock mounts and all new u-bolts for about $100. Do NOT reuse the old u-bolts.

Yep! That's mine! The kit from RuffStuff was GREAT! everything you need and it's not the kindergarten stuff either!

 

[86ford]

Once the torque is applied they stretch. Too many times torqued and they will not spring back and ultimately yield and fail.

For what new U-bolts cost I would never reuse old ones. Around here after 6 months exposed to the elements they are so rusty it's not worth it to keep them. I keep a couple old ones in my wheeling kit. Should I break one I've got some as a spare to get me off the trail.

i wish more people knew this.....

same thing goes for the center bolts on the leaf springs...

86

 

[4x4junkie]

Why would they stretch?? That makes absolutely no sense. These aren't head bolts, they are under an immense dynamic load from the axle twisting on them, they would literally rip in half if they were able to stretch (or at the very least become all loose).

They are grade 10.9 or even 12.9 14mm bolts. Proper torque is not going to stretch them.
As often as I've had mine apart, I'd be out both of my lockers if I was buying new U-bolts each time

 

[LittleBigFoot]