what about using a ranger / explorer / aerostar 8.8. i have a locker for one and they are a dime a dozen. some are already posi. any thoughts on this? has it been tried?
I did some measuring on my Turbo Coupe and the rear is about five or more inches too wide. I don't know if the others you mentioned are any narrower, but being that it is not the rearend of choice (over a 8") I doubt it.
I assume you are trying to save money so that would rule out narrowing the rearend. There is the option of the jacked up, small tire, wheels poking outside the wheelwells, but the 70's have come... and gone. :)
Tom
well i have 2 8" out of pintos. its just the 7.5 posi in my ranger sport stx is the right length and i have the 8.8 locker new in box (i love free bees) just have never ran an 8.8 in any thing. like i said there in every thing. so was hoping for some info. maybe so one has gone there before. u say there not as strong? they have v6's hooked to them?
apintonut,
Remember that just because it is not the more common option, that doesn't mean it can't be done (I mean after all, we are here which means we are okay with not being the 'norm') If you go ahead with the Ranger 8.8/7.5 conversion, make sure to document it for those that would like to do that to their car. I wish you luck with your project!
--Doug
douglasskemp thanx for the support. i just posted to see the opinion on the mater. i dont know much about the 8.8. if the axle are week. or the housing is prone to break if u wheel hop.... i think that sounds like a good idea. i want the five lug so that i can run the 5 star coke bottles 18" mustang wheels. ill be doing a complete tear down on my car. it will be a bran new car when its done.
I THINK the 8.8 would be fine from a strength point of view. They came in most fox body cars and held up fine on mustangs and T-birds. In fact on those cars it is the rearend of choice, with numerous gear ratio's available. Ford Motorsport and numerous other vendors sell these. The problem would be the installation. Length, spring perchs etc. You would just have to do more modifying. That is what is nice about the 8" or even the 9" ford. It can almost be a direct bolt in.
On my car I have a 8" and it was just a swap with no mods that had to be made. Plus a 8" is cheap and plentyfull. I think I payed $50 bucks for mine, out of a mustangII. All I did was have the axles redrilled for five lug. Which was also cheap about $100.
But it would be nice to see someone use the 8.8 and break that gound. Like the last person said, if you do it let us know how it turns out. Good Luck :smile:
well i just need to do it, ill take lots of pics. the tape says it will bolt in. i just need to find one out of a 4x4 ranger or explorer they have bigger brakes. some have disk.
im running a 7.5 from a 83 tbird. i cut the perches from the pinto rear and welded them to the tbird rear after i removed the origional brackets . this rear is 1" wider than the 8.8 rears and with a 5 1/4 backspacing on a 8" rim it is still inside the wheel well. with no rubbing. i have a 8.8 im swapping to over the winter. go for it!!!
I am also running a 7.5 from a 83 Bird.I purchased the spring mounts from Jegs.Had them welded on the axle after getting it set up under the car.Its been under the rear for three years now with no trouble.
pintoman, are you still running the same drums and axles or did you swap out for the later model shorter axles and drums for space? with my current setup i still have 3 inches of clearance from the inside of the tire to the springs, so when i get the 8.8 in there i should be able to get a much wider tire under the car easily. right now im running a 215-60-15 and it just clears the outside of the tire to the fender lip. even on a hard launch.
Quote from: apintonut on December 07, 2007, 05:35:36 PM
well i just need to do it, ill take lots of pics. the tape says it will bolt in. i just need to find one out of a 4x4 ranger or explorer they have bigger brakes. some have disk.
if you can find a 8.8 outta the explorer, they were 31 spline axles compared to the 28 spline in the other 8.8s
even if you get a 28spline 8.8, moser sells all different kinds of kits to put in the rear.
i have a 33 spline full spool with c clip elims, 4.10 gears, and 5lug.... i think the package was like 800 dollars for the kit.
i cant find a 8" rear for my wagon locally but i do have a 8.8 disc brake rear from a turbocoupe that is just beggin to be used.
8.8 out of a explorer here. 31 spline axles 3.73 posi and 11inch disc brakes for 250 bucks. can't beat that
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj225/KCHORNS/gn%20harness/th_pinto32508002.jpg) (http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj225/KCHORNS/gn%20harness/?action=view¤t=pinto32508002.jpg)
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj225/KCHORNS/gn%20harness/th_dragstarsgnhood003.jpg) (http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj225/KCHORNS/gn%20harness/?action=view¤t=dragstarsgnhood003.jpg)
Is there a specific year range of Exploder we should keep an eye out for?
ranger 4x4 i think is the narrowest at around 52 inches. look for an fx4 ranger rear axle. 8.8, 31 spline, torsen (cobra style with worm gears for locker) equipped and normally 3.73 or 4.10. cant remember the years. i was rather suprised when i took the cover off the one i had. and as far as strength...guys are running over 1000hp with modified 8.8s so i wouldnt worry about breaking it. if your going to run serious power, weld the axle shafts to the center section. i have seen the center section twist from the axle shafts.
Quote from: douglasskemp on October 23, 2008, 12:10:38 PM
Is there a specific year range of Exploder we should keep an eye out for?
I'll have to ask my brother. He got and installed it. Anyone else know?
Scott