Differential swap from a 7.5 to an 8.8.

[Rancher]

Quick question....

I have a 95 Aerostar cargo van with a wrecked 7.5 in rear end. My neighbor has given me his 93 XLT with a good 8.8in rear end. Can I swap them out? Will I have any performance issues?
Thanks

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Your thread was renamed to add a description. Do you know what the gear ratio is on both differentials? Did you check the cost of repairing your current differential?

 

[Rancher]

Thanks for the welcome! I don't know the gear ratio on either differential. I do know that they are both OEM if that helps. I haven't looked into repairing the broken unit as I was gifted with the XLT the same day my cargo van broke down.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The gear ratio should be the same on both differentials. If not, then you will have to recalibrate the system. Check # 3 in my list of useful threads for more information: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158739

 

[Rancher]

Thanks for the info!
I'll start swapping them in the morning. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You should have a tag on the differential with the gear ratio code number. The body should have a sticker on the driver's side with the same information. Take pictures of the swap. Are you swapping the rear brakes too?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check this thread for a comparison on both differentials: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218646

 

[Rancher]

Wish I had thought to take pics but didn't.

Swap was pretty straight forward. Pulled the cover off the new differential to discover that everything looked practically brand new. Very little metal dust on the magnet and even the gear oil looked relatively fresh. Obviously my neighbor took good care of his Aerostar. Everything bolted up perfectly. Took time to replace the brake cylinders and shoes. Turns out that the same part #'s fit both rear ends. Road test went perfectly as well. Impromptu speedometer test using state hwy mile markers showed very slight discrepancy. One mile in 70 seconds @ 60 mph but I attribute that to the slightly taller tires or a lazy worker installing the mile markers.
Can tell no difference in acceleration or hwy speeds. All in all, I'm satisfied with the swap.

Thanks much for the all the help and info. I hope to get many more miles out this great van.

 

[BrooklynBay]

A GPS might tell you what the speed is. Don't find out what the real speed is from a state trooper.