I’ve been beating on that 8.8 with drag radials for the past 8 months. Maybe 15 passes down the track. It’s performed amazingly well. 10/10 would recommend the explorer 31 spline 8.8
I can’t believe they charge to rent the cranes. I was at a pick-a-part a few years ago here outside of Phoenix and they were just staged around the yard. My Dad and I pulled an Explorer 8.8 and had the same issue with how they had the truck mounted on those wheel stands. We drug over one of those cranes and used it to lift on the hitch so we could move the stands to the frame.
Yeah I guess that’s their SOP. I struggled to lift my arms the next day after that junkyard visit lol. Glad I did it tho! I’m convinced this 8.8 was the biggest factor in winning the race.
I'm up with the your Thrift Power Lifting Team. Sadly , my Explorer XLT 4.0 SOHC was 3L73. First thing I checked. Great 31 spline axle with 11.3 discs and we had a Mustang central handbrake on Aussie and Kiwi spec Right Hand Drive Louisville built Export Sploderz. And nobody worries if you get an F for brand loyalty...when you get an A for Teamwork.
3.73s would’ve been my choice had we been building a fun cruiser. Usually I stick with all mopar parts but, the budget and availability factors just make it too difficult. I’m sure there are a few $200 8.75 rear ends out there but, I’d have to spend all year looking it haha
If I were to be using wheels with a shallow backspace (most old school styles), I’d need to trim the long side by about 2”. I’m going to be running mustang wheels (5.75” BS) so it won’t be an issue.
Service is worse at LKQ than it was at Ecology or the other junkyards. I think I would have put a couple of wheels on the rear axle and rolled it to the gate instead of lifting it. Some times the front of the pinion wants to drag, though.
I was SURE the last axle on your list was going to be a Jeep YJ or whatever the SUV from the late 80's an early 90's is called. All the features of the 8.8 but the hub matches Mopar so you can be hub centric on your wheels without spacer rings. Maybe a Mopar 8 1/4 is not equal to a Ford 8.8. I need an axle like you for almost the same width. Any 8 lug axle is going to cost a fortune to narrow and convert to 5 lug unless you have quite a good shop and can do it yourself.
I’m not sure what was used in jeeps but, the ramchargers of that era used 9.25 rears. They’re strong but, would be too wide and only come with drum brakes. I plan to run mustang based wheels so, no spacers needed.
Thanks for the info 👍 I own a 1990 (last of the square b-bodies and was wondering what options I had if I wanted to go to a Ford 9 rear end.
I’ve been beating on that 8.8 with drag radials for the past 8 months. Maybe 15 passes down the track. It’s performed amazingly well. 10/10 would recommend the explorer 31 spline 8.8
Teamwork makes the dream work! Let's win this thing! 🤙
I can’t believe they charge to rent the cranes. I was at a pick-a-part a few years ago here outside of Phoenix and they were just staged around the yard. My Dad and I pulled an Explorer 8.8 and had the same issue with how they had the truck mounted on those wheel stands. We drug over one of those cranes and used it to lift on the hitch so we could move the stands to the frame.
Yeah I guess that’s their SOP. I struggled to lift my arms the next day after that junkyard visit lol. Glad I did it tho! I’m convinced this 8.8 was the biggest factor in winning the race.
@@sorta_stock I'm picking one up for my '74 Duster build. Did you hook up the ebrake cables?
@@roadhardrestorations no I didn’t. I was in a rush to get it out of the junkyard so I just cut it. Never bothered to get a new one
I'm up with the your Thrift Power Lifting Team. Sadly , my Explorer XLT 4.0 SOHC was 3L73. First thing I checked. Great 31 spline axle with 11.3 discs and we had a Mustang central handbrake on Aussie and Kiwi spec Right Hand Drive Louisville built Export Sploderz. And nobody worries if you get an F for brand loyalty...when you get an A for Teamwork.
3.73s would’ve been my choice had we been building a fun cruiser. Usually I stick with all mopar parts but, the budget and availability factors just make it too difficult. I’m sure there are a few $200 8.75 rear ends out there but, I’d have to spend all year looking it haha
👍👍👍
Is the Ford Exploder rear the same width for the A body or will it need to be cut down to size?
If I were to be using wheels with a shallow backspace (most old school styles), I’d need to trim the long side by about 2”. I’m going to be running mustang wheels (5.75” BS) so it won’t be an issue.
Service is worse at LKQ than it was at Ecology or the other junkyards. I think I would have put a couple of wheels on the rear axle and rolled it to the gate instead of lifting it. Some times the front of the pinion wants to drag, though.
I was SURE the last axle on your list was going to be a Jeep YJ or whatever the SUV from the late 80's an early 90's is called. All the features of the 8.8 but the hub matches Mopar so you can be hub centric on your wheels without spacer rings. Maybe a Mopar 8 1/4 is not equal to a Ford 8.8. I need an axle like you for almost the same width. Any 8 lug axle is going to cost a fortune to narrow and convert to 5 lug unless you have quite a good shop and can do it yourself.
I’m not sure what was used in jeeps but, the ramchargers of that era used 9.25 rears. They’re strong but, would be too wide and only come with drum brakes. I plan to run mustang based wheels so, no spacers needed.