Explorer front and rear axle housings

greenmachine89 · Post by **greenmachine89** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 7:49 pm

This question has been asked many times but I can't seem to find the right answer. I have just purchased a 8.8 posi and a dana 35 both with 3:73 gears for 275$. I at least think I got a good deal. Anywho I was wondering if the 8.8 will bolt right in, same goes for the dana 35 will that also bolt right in. Thanks!

Joel H · Post by **Joel H** » Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:20 pm

Depending on the year's

If you have a D35 TTB and it's replacing a D28 TTB then yes it will bolt in. You may have to modify the driveshaft. Removing about 1" from the length.

The 8.8 will have to have the spring pads moved and shock mounts added.

This is if it's going into a B2 or Ranger

If your swapping into an explorer for better gears then yes it will all bolt in.

greenmachine89 · Post by **greenmachine89** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:04 am

Well I guess I should have said that I have a 89 Bronco II and I got the front axle housing out of a 91 explorer and the rear out of a 93. Now the front seems to be quite easy but the rear has the spring mounts underneath the axle. Would it be best for me to grind off the mounts and remount them on top so I can have the leafs above the axle? I am going to install a 4" inch skyjacker lift come spring time and don't want to regret doing something that I shouldn't have. The front drive shaft I can modify to fit no worries there.

Limited · Post by **Limited** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:26 am

I am going through the process of doing this also. I found a complete D35 set up. Now looking for a rear 8.8 Let me know what you do with the rear axle so I have a good idea of what I will need to do also.
As far as I know and have been reading the D35 will blot right on with no problems.

greenmachine89 · Post by **greenmachine89** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:40 pm

Well to reply to what Limited said, The D35 will bolt in just the front drive shaft has to be shortened by about an inch. Then rear I have found that I am going to have to grind off the leaf mounts and reinstall them on top of the axle housing as for the shock mounts they are really up to where ever you want them. There is also a mount for the sway bar but that is not needed. Other than that You should get a new rear drive shaft.

noyb72 · Post by **noyb72** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:17 pm

It is possible to use the Explorer rear end as is. You have to use lifted springs and you will not see as much lift. Also, the perches are about a half inch closer together, what you end up with is the improved handling of a spring under with the requirement of more material for the lift.

Ron

DBrown · Post by **DBrown** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:27 am

how do you figure that you get improved handling with the springs under the axle?

honestly, just pull your axle out, cut the perches off the 8.8, put new perches on top of the axle and bolt it back in before you weld. then rotate the pinion up untill the pinion angle matches the previous angle on the 7.5.

remember to do this on a level surface with the weight of the truck on the springs/axle(wheels on the ground) and you will be golden...

oh, and make sure the axle is centered under the truck and there is no large offset differences in the axles.

Bob Myers · Post by **Bob Myers** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 10:55 am

Buy new perches from ebay, $12.00 plus freight, I wouldn't bother trying to salvage them for that money.