Are most explorer Driveshafts the same?

[toddious]

I am having to replace the rear driveshaft in my 1996 explorer limited 4wd 4dr 4.0.

Will the driveshaft from another 4dr 4wd model work from say 95-98?

Please let me know, I am trying to find a used one, because they are rediculously expensive new. THanks in advance, Todd.

 

[briwayjones]

They will.

 

[toddious]

What are the critical requirement for a match?

Does it need to be same # of doors (do I need it from a 4DR?)?

Does it have to be 4WD?

What years will match? I found this part: ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car...hash=item230265128321&_trksid=p3756.m14.l1318 ) and was using the years it lists as a reference to vehicles I can look for in the junk yard. anyone know if it is accurate?

 

[briwayjones]

Critical stuff is the number of doors and 4wd or not, they need to be the same. What it says in the auction seems right to me. Any shaft from a 95-01 Explorer with 4wd and 4 doors should work.

 

[toddious]

Critical stuff is the number of doors and 4wd or not, they need to be the same. What it says in the auction seems right to me. Any shaft from a 95-01 Explorer with 4wd and 4 doors should work.

Thanks for the reply.

ALso, all the directions for replacing U-Joints that I have read said that I need to mark the original position of the driveshaft, to make sure that it gets installed in the same configuration so it is properly balanced.

I am now putting an entirely different driveshaft on with new U-Joints at both ends. Am I likely to have an unbalanced driveshaft? Is there anything I can do? Thanks, Todd.

 

[briwayjones]

Thanks for the reply.

ALso, all the directions for replacing U-Joints that I have read said that I need to mark the original position of the driveshaft, to make sure that it gets installed in the same configuration so it is properly balanced.

I am now putting an entirely different driveshaft on with new U-Joints at both ends. Am I likely to have an unbalanced driveshaft? Is there anything I can do? Thanks, Todd.

That I'm not as familiar with. I would think that as long as you install it in the same configuration and the new one you install is not damaged in anyway (bent, chips missing, different size mounting bolts) it should be just as balanced as the old one.

 

[Pensa]

It does have to be from a 4 door if that's what you have, the two door X has a shorter wheelbase which means a shorter drive shaft.

 

[gavin]

are there any differences in the length for the different engine/transmission/t-case combos?

you can always use car-part.com
I (generally) trust what it will list as working for your vehicle.

Also, as for marking the d-shaft to re-install it "in-phase" is very very very rarely un-necessary.

Maybe at one point, the shaft was (somehow) balanced for the exact install, and if re-installed at a different rotation, it could cause vibrations. Very, very, very rarely is that the case now-a-days from what I have seen.