There is a guy local with an explorer 8.8 rear end with 3.73 gears. Only 200$ Will there be problems if I were to buy this and try to bolt it up to my V6? I am looking for an 8.8 rear end so I can upgrade but I was wondering, does it have to be a mustang rear end?

 

What year Exploder is it? The 3rd & 4th generations (2002 and newer) have an IRS. I highly doubt that the entire rear axle assembly from an older X would fit any year Mustang.

 

it is an 03

 

also I mean there are a ton out there for under 200. One has 3.55 and the guy wants 75$. I was wondering if it is a direct bolt up?

 

Anyone else know?

 

Are you talking about the entire rearend? If so no it will not bolt up, the explorer uses an offset differential for the 4 wheel drive, so unless you want 1 wheel to stick out 2" it won't work.

 

My bet is that it's not a direct bolt-in. Check the width first - an Explorer axle is probably wider than the Mustang's. The spring perches are probably in different spots too. And the axle tubes are beefier in a truck axle than a car axle. I ran a Lincoln (car) 8.8 in my Jeep and the tubes were lighter duty than the Explorer's so I had to weld up a truss to compensate, so I'm sure there are differences in the construction.

I'd stick with a Mustang rear unless you're absolutely sure it's the same thing.

Mike

 

Thanks guys. Ill probably go to the junk yard and rip one out of a wrecked S197 GT.