joe_5.0

i read that ford explorer 8.8s have 3.73 gears,so i was wondering if this was true and if so can i swap the the gearset from an explorer into my mustangs 8.8. right now the car is an all stock 89 lx 5.0.

mjr46

you could but you'll need a new crush collar and inch lbs turning torque wrench to measure preload while setting crush and a dial indicator to measure backlash after settingcarrier bearing shims in place...and before removing gears in explorer I 'd check the wear pattern via marking compound and make sure you get it in the same place when setting up rear in your housing..swapping from one housing to another is not always equal..specs must be measured/checked so no noise will result

HACKGT350

he is right if you dont know how to set up gears all your saving yourself is the cost of gears and yes they do come with 3.73's

AdderMk2

if you are trying to be fast, you are doing it wrong

you are better off buying NEW gears, and letting a professional set them up

RUDEDOG.357

I have 97 explorer gears in my 89 mustang right now. They work perfect. If you dont know how to install them then get a pro.

tehzack

You could always grab the entire differential while your at it. Explorers come with 31 spline axles...

93 LX FiveO

arent they different lengths than fox bodies?

RUDEDOG.357

I have a complete rear axle from a 2002 ford ranger that i was thinking of installing in my 89 mustang but it doesnt have the ears on top of the differential housing for the upper control arms. It also has the disk brakes and 5 lugs. Unless theres a way to get aroung it.

tehzack

The rear end itself won't work. I meant just the differential. But you can pick up explorer rear ends all day for like 200-250. Then just take the differential out. I'm sure 250 for a 31 spline differential and 3.73 gears is cheaper than you could find in most other situations.

joe_5.0

so i should just swap in the whole differential, what do i do for axles then.