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'64 1/2 to '68 1/2 -- The Classic Mustang

Late Model Explorer Rear End

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Author	Topic: Late Model Explorer Rear End
OSU Mustang Journeyman Posts: 11 From: Dayton, OH Registered: May 2003	posted 05-07-2003 07:03 PM Was at a local car show this weekend and heard some "restomod" guys tell me a Late model Ford Explorer 8.8inch rear end would fit a Mustang with only a minor modification of shorting the longer side of the rear? (did explorers even have an 8.8?)anyone heard of this? This sounds too good to be true since i was planing on a 9" or built 8 with the ford explorer disc brake kit. I'm still new to the whole restomod category so I thought I would run it by the forum. Already have learned a lot on everything else by just reading all the archived posts, never knew all this information was out here! Thanks for reading my posts, sorry if I'm not up to par yet with these questions, thanks.
Fastymz Moderator Posts: 22791 From: Reno Nv M&M #1240 Registered: Apr 2001	posted 05-07-2003 07:07 PM This is all the information I have about late model 8.8 inch rear ends to evaluate the possibility of swapping them into early Mustangs. The 8.8" rear is almost as strong as a 9" and would be a very good choice for a hot street car. Good, low mileage versions of these rears are easily located and performance parts are readily available. Considering the ever shrinking supply of the popular Lincoln Versailles 9"ers with disc brakes, the Explorer 8.8" option looks really good. The following charts compare critical dimensions to those used in early Mustangs. 1991 Ranger 8.8" 1965.66 Mustang 8" Width 56.25" wheel flange to wheel flange 57.25" wheel flange to wheel flange Springs Leaf, 39.125" on center with pads located on top of axle tube Leaf, 43" on center with pads located below axle tube Brakes 10x2.5" drums 10x1.75" drums Yoke Flange type u-joint mount Strap type u-joint mount Tube Diameter 2.815" 2.75" (?) Splines 28 28 Shocks Mount to bracket on rear end Mount to bracket on lower spring plate Wheels 5 lug on 4.5" bolt circle 5 lug on 4.5" bolt circle 1997 Explorer 8.8" 1967/70 Mustang 9" Width 59.5" wheel flange to wheel flange 59.25" wheel flange to wheel flange Springs Leaf, 39.125" on center with pads located below axle tube Leaf, 43" on center with pads located below axle tube Brakes Disc 10x1.75" drums Yoke Flange type u-joint mount Strap type u-joint mount Tube Diameter 3.25" 3.25" Splines 31 spline 28 or 31 spline Shocks Mount to bracket on lower spring plate Mount to bracket on lower spring plate Wheels 5 lug on 4.5" bolt circle 5 lug on 4.5" bolt circle The Explorer also had a .75" diameter sway bar that can be easily adapted to the Mustang. It also had a 3.55 to 1 ratio gear set and limited slip differential. The main changes that will need to be made are as follows. They shouldn't be to expensive or difficult: ? Move the spring pads to the correct location. ? Adapt the driveshaft to the flange style yoke. ? Adapt the brake lines and parking brake cables. ------------------ SCOOP oddly obsessed with big scoops on little Mustangs 2.26 60'S 14.9 @ 90.86MPH 65 coupe,351w,C4,Big Boss 429 hood scoop,8"3.40 TracLoc,Cragar SS,Black Suede. https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/Fastymz.html
OSU Mustang Journeyman Posts: 11 From: Dayton, OH Registered: May 2003	posted 05-07-2003 09:52 PM Thanks for the great info, makes a good excuse for a trip to the junk yards after finals week, nothing more theraputical than that Still on the subject, are all 8.8 center sections interchangable as long as the axle splines are the same? How about brakes? From Fastymz post looks like I should be looking at a '91 Ranger 8.8 for width issues but the center (3.55, limited slip) of the '97 Explorer and the dic brakes sounds great, anyway I can get both? Thanks for the info OSU Mustang

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