heckys67

Hey guys im looking to swap out my rear end for 8" rear end I have read somewhere on here that some one swaped out their rear end for a exploere 8.8" do you know if this is possible? If so what is good year to take the rear end from the explorer

2+2GT

The 95-01 Explorer rear can be adapted to the Mustang, but it's a major project. Why do you want to do this? The 8" rear can be converted to be as strong or stronger than the Exploder rear, for probably less money and for certain a lot less work.

heckys67

It was a suggestion my mechanic brought up since im dropping a 347 into the mustang he suggested a stronger rear end not necessaraly the explorer I got that bright idea on my own lol what do you suggest I get to bulk up my current rear end?

ozarks06

The Explorer rear is a pretty easy swap. Just cut off the spring perches and reweld them in the correct spots. You'll have to do something with the drive shaft - either replace the pinion flange with a yoke (see Inland Empire Driveline) or match the u-joints to the flange. The only real issue is the flange is about 5" in diameter and the pinion sticks pretty far forward, and it is offset about 3" to the passenger side (due to the 4X4 transfer case). It is likely to hit the floor pan on large bumps if your car is lowered much. Most guys 'massage' the floor pan a little with a hammer. Mine is more of a problem than most since I'm using the 06 GT CV joint at the pinion, which is even larger and sticks out farther forward. I cut a notch in the floor next to the tunnel.

Some guys cut the long side to center the pinion, but I haven't had any problems running it uncut (3 years, 17k miles, 465+ RWHP, drag radials). It is the same width as the 67-70 rear end uncut (2" wider than a 65-66).

The Explorer has 31-spline axles that are huge. They still use c-clips but if you break one of those you have very sticky tires and a lot of power. It's essentially the same rear-end in the GT500 (though they have kevlar clutch plates), and the 800 HP super snakes. They are a lot stronger than an 8" and can be had for cheap - like $150 at a salvage yard.

There are lots of posts on forums for this swap. If you can't find any on here google it.

2+2GT

Dropping a Currie 4-pinion Traction-Lok into the 8" you have would give you a rear stronger than a lot of stock 9" rears. The whole job could be done in a couple hours. If the axles are a concern, the 64-66 289 High Performance used essentially the same 28 spline axles as any 289 2V.

frdnut

How much power will the 347 be making?..What type of trans do you have and will it see strip time or street with sticky tires/slicks?

MonsterBilly

do a search for my posts. I have done the explorer rear end several times and it is a really cool swap. It is a a good amount of work but it is easy and very cheap. I think i have it down to under $300 total. and you end up with

3.73 gears
trac-lock rear end
31 spline axles
and as a bonus rear disc brakes.

beat that for $300.
Just aint gonna do it.

Now if you are a guy that has more money than time, just buy a third member like anyone else can do and slap it in there.

andrewmp6

If you do run a 8.8 fully weld on the axle tubes to the center its only plug welded in like 2 or 3 spots.But I'm with 2+2gt i rather have a 8 inch they are cheap enough and its basicly a baby 9 inch and will hold close to 400hp before it blows.

frdnut

That all depends on how its used....My brother blew his 8 inch up this summer with about 300hp at most..Sticky tires at the dragstrip will find the weak points.

andrewmp6

Yeah slicks and drag racing you'll find a weak point real fast lol.