CougarX said:
Isn't the vacumn disconnect in the spindle/hub assembly anyway? I'm pretty sure the front axle housings are all the same from 95 up to 01 Explorers as well as all the newer IFS Rangersm, Explorer Sports and Sport Tracs (except the new body Tracs).
Nope. The 95 and 96 Explorers use a center-axle disconnect on the front axle. It breaks the passenger side axle shaft right at the diff. In theory, it allows the front driveshaft, ring gear, and carrier to stop turning when set to 2wd. In reality, it slows down, but seldom stops turning all together due to the transfer case design.
For 97, they did away with the CAD in lieu of a live axle. Since the Control Trac 4wd system worked so well in automatic but customers complained about a lack of a selectable 4high, they did away with the 2wd position in lieu of 4auto full-time and a selectable 4high.
Now, the live front axle works just fine on a Ranger with a 13-54 transfer case that completely mechanically disconnects the front half of the drivetrain, when used in conjunction with some type of hub-lock on the front axle ends. That allows the t-case to disconnect, and the halfshafts to disco from the wheels, allowing the entire front drivetrain to come to rest when not in use.
Essentially, everything except the 95-96 Explorers *should* be the same front axle from the pinion to the axle flanges, but again, I can't say for sure.
Also, the later axles *should* work in a 95-96 Explorer, but you'll lose the center-axle disco which *may* cost you an extra MPG or so. IMHO, it would be a worthwhile swap if the CAD is having issues.
-Joe
