Ford explorer 8.8 rear end swap into a 71

[351mach1]

I am seriously considering doing this swap soon and wanted to compile all the information out there into one thread. If i pull the trigger on this I will make this into a "how-to" thread as I do the swap. I found a 96 explorer in the junkyard with the 3.73 limited slip and only 100K on the odometer so seriously tempted to go get it for $250. Just need a pick up truck and a friend

This is the best thread out there that I can find about the swap:
https://www.vintage-mustang.com/threads/8-8-rear-end-in-71-mustang.1188868/

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Explorer8_8.shtml

The current thought is to use an adapter on one side to get the correct length as opposed to pulling the axle tube and swapping axles.

For anyone who has done this, I will take any tips, tricks, or advice from your swap!

 

[TheDude]

I'd take a look at the rear end from an Explorer Sport-Trac. I don't recall if it's all years, but I thin the width is very close to the rear end that came in our cars. That's what I did and I know a couple other people here (@tony-muscle I think?) have done that swap as well. The only issue there is it's offset so there can be clearance issues at the rear of the tunnel that need to be addressed.

Edited to add a couple tidbits.

Here's the spring perches I used: https://www.theflopshopoffroad.com/products/ford-8-8-swap-e-brake-cable-adapters

And here's an adapter to convert the parking brakes on the 8.8 to work with the existing cabling. These worked great for me. https://www.theflopshopoffroad.com/products/ford-8-8-swap-e-brake-cable-adapters

 

[turtle5353]

I did this swap from Sportrac Explorer probably 15+ years ago. No need to swap axles. The width is very close and the pinion offset isn’t too bad. Slight clearancing is required on the tunnel in rear with a small hammer and block of wood. I used the rear piece of the explorer driveshaft on the mustang shaft. I made my own arms for the e brake setup to use stock mustang cables. You will need to cut off spring perch mounts and weld new ones on in correct angle and location. I made the spring u bolt plates to match the stock mustang ones to mount tge shocks to. It’s some work but well worth if you have some fab skills. 3.73 gears, posi, and disc brakes in one shot for couple hundred bucks isn’t bad.

 

[351mach1]

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/ford-8-8-inch-rear-axle-history-and-specs/#gsc.tab=0

From what I can tell, the 95-2000 and 2001-2003 sport trac all have the same rear end in them which are all 59.625 inches wide. The 71-73 axles are 61.25 inches wide. My thought would be to offset the axle to center the diff better and use an adapter on the short side.

Thanks for the links above! I am hoping to snag an axle this week if I can find time and a helper.

 

[351mach1]

Hey @TheDude can you double check your link for spring perches