Ford 8.8 question

[vkovacs]

Hey guys,

Firstly, I'm not an Explorer guy. Don't know much about them in terms of history. I have a 98 Jeep Wrangler and I'm swapping in a Ford 8.8 rear axle from an Explorer. I'm actually about to finish the project but I have a question. I'm purchasing Alloy USA ChroMo shafts for it (#12188) and it says it's for 95 to 2000 Explorers. The guy I bought the 8.8 from said it was a "2000ish". So my question to you is: What can I look for on my axle to identify it it's from a 1999, 2000 or 2001? What is different between a 2000 and 2001?

 

[IZwack]

There shouldnt be any difference between the 95-01 axles. They should all be disc brakes, same WMS-WMS, splines, and so on.

 

[vkovacs]

Excellent, that's all I needed to know. Thank you VERY much! So what happened to the 8.8 in 2002?

 

[xxxchevelle69xxx]

Didn't Ford move to Independent Rear Suspension after 01? I forget, i may have totally made that up haha, but i think thats what happened

 

[TarHeel085]

yes, they did, however they still used the 8.8 in the sport trac until the most recent models.

 

[ericautopart]

They were the same from 91 until it went to IRS..makes life nice and easy..

 

[gijoecam]

They were the same from 91 until it went to IRS..makes life nice and easy..

Not quite... the housings on the first gens may have been the same as the housings on the second gens, but from the backing plate out they were different... 1st gens were drum brakes, second-gens were discs.

-Joe

 

[IZwack]

The alxe shaft lengths are slightly different too I heard. I think it was Maniak who was trying to use a pair of axle shafts from one generation in another and ran into this issue.

 

[ericautopart]

91-02
Left - 30.5"
Right - 27 5/8"

They all use the same bearing/seal too. It'll work from 1991 right up until it goes IRS I promise.

I know the brakes were different between 1st and 2nd gen I was just referring to the axle shafts.

 

[IZwack]

This is Maniak's thread titled "super 88 c-clip eliminator kit":
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2121530#post2121530

I've been doing some more digging and found some other worrisome info..

1990-1994 axle shaft 27-3/4" long
1990-1994 axle shaft 30-5/8" long

1995+ axle shaft 27-58" long
1995+ axle shaft 30-1/2" long

If thats true, I'd problalby have to cut down the tip of the axle.. which I saw someone with a prototype had to do..

Still looking around for more info..

thats according to http://www.tellico4x4.com/index.php/cPath/4282_4715_5049_1865

~Mark

 

[ericautopart]

The difference is too minimal to have to make any changes to the axle.

 

[Tbars4]

...This might be of some help...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235261

 

[Cobraguy]

The difference is too minimal to have to make any changes to the axle.

Yet somebody did have an issue with it Erica and they did make the change. It's only an eighth of an inch...but evidently it must make a difference or Ford wouldn't have spec'd the change. New part numbers are expensive for them to warehouse, etc. My guess is you could have trouble with the C-clip installation/removal with the 1st gen axles in 2nd gen housings. I would also bet 2nd gen axles would fit both and in fact may be the replacement size you now receive from Ford.

 

[jinx44]

As was said, if it has disc brakes, you are golden.

I have an 8.8 explorer rear in my TJ as well. Definetly a good upgrade. I still need to figure out an e-brake cable setup though.

 

[Tbars4]

...The link in post #12 will be of great use for both J**P's and Ford's...

 

[TheEnforcer98]

As was said, if it has disc brakes, you are golden.

I have an 8.8 explorer rear in my TJ as well. Definetly a good upgrade. I still need to figure out an e-brake cable setup though.

Ironically, today on PowerblockTV (Spike TV) the show Trucks was playing the episode where they swap a Ford 8.8 into their project "cheap cherokee"

They showed you how to rig up the e-brake cable to the rear end. I looked for a video, but couldn't find one, so I'll try to explain it as best as possible .


Cut off the end of the e-brake cable, so that there is an exposed cable. Then simply take a cable clamp

And make a loop, then tighten the clamp. Then hook it onto the e-brake "actuator" (for lack of better term) on the rear end. Thats all I caught on the show, but there may be more to it.

They usually replay the same episodes on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, so you may be able to catch it tomorrow morning

I also just found the episode on the iTunes store for $1.99.

 

[vkovacs]

As was said, if it has disc brakes, you are golden.

I have an 8.8 explorer rear in my TJ as well. Definetly a good upgrade. I still need to figure out an e-brake cable setup though.

Thanks for all the info guys. The one I have didn't come with brakes, but I grabbed some off a 98 Explorer and they're on there just fine.

I actually have an answer to your dilemma Jinx:

http://www.stu-offroad.com/axle/8.8axle/8.8axle-1.htm

Basically you use the ZJ e-brake.

Here's my kit:

http://www.knowwhere2jeep.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11444