'98 Explorer Rear End into '81 cj8

[scrambler81]

Nice site! I've got a '81 Scrambler and I'm looking @ a '98 8.8 Explorer rear end to swap into it (cheap and it has disk brakes and a 373 gear).What is the length of the Explorer rear end (wheel mounting surface to wheel mountig surface), and will it stand up to a 400hp 401 motor. Thanks, jim.

 

[Extreme4x4]

Properly set up, the 8.8 rear will hold up to over 700hp in drag raced Mustangs (with slicks).

As far as the width of the disc brake rear goes, I don't know. However, I was involved in putting a 91 Mustang 8.8 into a YJ. The rear was exactly 1" narrower than the stock YJ 35. Tom just kept the stock 28-spline axles for now, since he is only running a stock 258, and 33's. If he does an engine swap in the future, he would upgrade to the 31-spline axles (that the Explorer 8.8 already has).

You should be fine on strength. Good luck on the swap, it is a good one.

Gloria
93 EB Explorer, 1000 RTI
94 F150 Lightning

 

[Bratcher]

do all 95 and on 8.8's have 31 spline shafts? and do all of them have track lock?

JB

 

[GJarrett]

They're 31 spline, but Trac-Loc is an option.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi JB, and welcome to the site.
Yes all 95+ Explorers are 31 spline, actually all Explorers have 31 splines. It is the Ranger that has 28 spline 8.8 axles. No, not all 8.8's have trac-Lok. Only some 3.73's and 4.10's have it. If you look at the axle tag, the first 4 digits will tell you what it is. Example 3L73 or 4L10.
If it reads 373 or 410, it doesn't have the Trac-Lok. Hope this helps.