7.5 to 8.8 rear axle swap.

[Brian Skinner]

My plan is to switch my 7.5 rear axle to an 8.8 in my 95 aerostar. My question is would I be able to use an explorer or ranger rear axle since they are common or is the aerostar rear axle specifically aerostar only? I have on the internet researching this but I can't find any information. I was thinking that a ranger or explorer might work but I'm unsure since aerostars are hard to come by.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've renamed your thread to provide more details. From what I've read, the axles on the Aerostar have a 28 spline count, and the Explorer has a 31 spline count. You could swap the entire rear differential as an assembly.

 

[Brian Skinner]

The concern doesn't have to do with the axle shafts, my concern has to deal with the housing. Is that going to be aerostar only or will an explorer or ranger housing work? That is the part I'm very confused about. I'm wanting to put an 8.8 rear end instead of the 7.5 that's in there now, just due to fear of the rumors that the 7.5 rear ends are junk

 

[BrooklynBay]

I'm sure that they could be swapped without a problem. I wouldn't say that they are junk. Why would you want to swap it if it's not giving any problems?

 

[Brian Skinner]

It's because of the fact that I heard that 7.5 rear axles are junk and the van has 150000 miles on it. The body is in good shape with some rust but not much. My plan in the later future is to use the van for recreational use instead of daily use especially being able to tow a pop up or a small camper. I am hoping to be able to put the van away in the winter so the body can last longer

 

[BrooklynBay]

My 1988 van has a Lock-Right system from Powertrax that's good. You might want to consider upgrading your existing 7.5 instead of swapping everything. Here's a link with more information: http://www.powertrax.com/index.php/products/lock-right

 

[colintrax]

Nothing wrong with the 7.5 it's just small. Swapping in the 8.8 should be pretty straight forward. Width might be a little different, but nothing extreme. IMHO it's just overkill. Hang onto the 7.5

 

[Brian Skinner]

7.5 to 8.8 conversion

Thanks for the advice about the rear axle. I do have another possibly stupid question. I am getting ready to fix my wiring for my blower motor resistor, but my question is what other blower motor will work in the ford aerostars since I have very little air flow when it works. The wires on my resistor in the van is the culprit for the intermittent operation, but when the setting is on high, the air flow feels like it's on medium low. Any help will be great. Thanks

 

[corkey]

i think you might have a problem with the axle swap as the aerostar may have a 3 link setup and be on coil springs, meaning you have to put all the brackets off the aerostar axle on to the new one,
the Ranger and Explorer axles are for leaf springs,

but if you can weld them on, it will work,

 

[toomuchjunk]

Don't mean to take over or derail this thread but I have a question that is sort of pertains. My question is how do you tell whether it's a 7.5 or a 8.8 by the outside of the housing?
Ok two questions. Did aero's come with either?
Thanks for your help
TMJ

 

[BrooklynBay]

This thread is similar to your thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=282560
This thread should answer all of your questions: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218646

 

[toomuchjunk]

thank you very much for your help
TMJ