Solid swap

[funky explorer]

I have a 92 explorer with a six inch
skyjacker front end kit and i have also done
a spring over in the rear with a one inch
add a leaf and a 3/4 spacer on front to clear
35x16 boggers and a three inch body and the
whole package clears fine but im now whearing
bearings out fast and i also want manual hubs
and the 5x5 1/2 bolt pattern so i have picked up a 78 f150 front axle with radius arms i would like to know what radius brackets to use any help thanx people.

 

[TNExplorer]

First question is the axle you got a TTB or a solid axle. The set up is very different. answer this and I will try to help. One note you do know that the axle you got is much wider than the axle that is under your truck. This means that the tires are going to stick out from under the truck alot. Also to change the rear axle to a 5 on 5 1/2" bolt pattern you will need to have axles made to fit the Explorer 8.8 housing with the larger bolt pattern the stock axle bolt flange is to small in diameter to redrill them for the 5 on 5 1/2" pattern, you can redrill the rear brake drums.
Good Luck

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Lance Humphreys
1993 Eddie Bauer
Front Dana 44 solid axle swap
8" lift

 

[funky explorer]

the axle i have is a f150 solid axle
that is a reverse cut and i am going to have it cut down to match the rear then have the rear axle drilled to match the front i just dont know what to use for radius arm mounts and the track bar and what to do on the steering setup. thanx

 

[TNExplorer]

If you will do a search for solid axle and then click on the one dated 12/27/99 there is a ton of information about this swap(Just easier than retyping it again). As for the radius arms I used stock Ford arms with 6 deg. C-bushings I then made some radius arm brackets that droped down 4 3/4" to set the caster. The track arm is a little tricky you will have two options first is to use a track arm bracket from the F-150 and mount it to the frame, mount the track arm on the axle and then center the truck with weight on the springs and shorten the track arm to mount in the bracket. Second is to make your own bracket and use one of the adjustable track arms that you can buy, it will need to be cut down also. The steering is also very tricky, I used the arms from a f-150 and modified them to work (See the search for solid axle swap. I said before that the rear axles have a to small of a bolt flange to redrill to the 5 on 5 1/2" pattern. The flange is only 5 1/2" in diameter that will put your wheel studs half in the flange and half outside the flange (Not to safe). You will need to get rear axles for the explorer 8.8 (31 spline) with the flange of a f-150. Mine was made by Moser Engineering.
Good Luck

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Lance Humphreys
1993 Eddie Bauer
Front Dana 44 solid axle swap
8" lift

 

[Rick]

Lance, will Moser know the right length for the axles or do I need to give it to them. I need a set of 5 - 5 1/2" axles to go along with my Dana 44.

Thanks,

Rick

 

[TNExplorer]

I just called them and they had all the info.
I gave them the year of my Explorer and told them that I needed the 5 on 5 1/2" pattern. They said no problem and if I remember I had them in 3 to 5 days. Very very good company.
Rick they were right at $300 but they are alloy and alot stronger than stock axles.


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Lance Humphreys
1993 Eddie Bauer
Front Dana 44 solid axle swap
8" lift

 

[Rick]

Thanks for the info Lance!


Rick

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Rick Horwitz
Editor
explorer@4x4central.com
www.4x4central.com

 

[funky explorer]

i was wondering does anyone know how to tell how far below the frame a strait axle radius arm needs mounted with 8 inche front
coils and what c bushings to use.


thanx

 

[TNExplorer]

There is alot of calculations involved to get it right. In stock form the radius are parallel to the ground and it will have betweeen 5% and 7% of caster. Now here is some information that will get you started doing the calculations. First for every inch the truck is lifited you will lose 1.2 deg. of caster. Second for every inch that you lower the radius arms mount point you regain 1.8 deg. of caster. You then need to use the various C- bushiings on the market to get the truck in line. All this info is for a solid axle under the truck it came under (F-150) to put the axle under your explorer you will need to put the axle under the truck and take measurements to get it right. I used 6" Skyjacker front coils for an explorer with 6 deg. C-bushings I had to drop thr radius arms 4 3/4".

 

[funky explorer]

thanks for your info i should have the axle in soon, also doe you see any problem with locating the axle one inch forward in my instalation to set the tire closer to the bumper for tire clearance and also when you say you mounted the radius arms 4 3/4 doe you mean from the frame to the hole where the threaded end bolts to. what mounts did you use stock explorer or f-150 straigt axle mounts or custom. thanx again.

 

[TNExplorer]

My front axle is about 2" forward. The 4 3/4" is from the frame. I Made my own radius arm brackets.

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Lance Humphreys
1993 Eddie Bauer
Front Dana 44 solid axle swap
8" lift

[This message has been edited by TNExplorer (edited 03-22-2000).]

 

[funky explorer]

does anybody have any pics of there instalation of a solid axle. thanx

 

[TNExplorer]

I have some but I have not had the chance to have them scanned so I can post them. I am not sure that any one else on the board has done the swap. I know Rick is working towards it.

------------------
Lance Humphreys
1993 Eddie Bauer
Front Dana 44 solid axle swap
8" lift

 

[Rick]

I just ordered my ARB Airlocker today. That takes care of the hardware.

Now I just need to part with my rig for a month or so, so they can do the fab work. I'm hoping for a mid to late June completion date.

 

[funky explorer]

Has anyone ever tried to put leaf springs under a explorer for the straigt axle
swap im now in trying to put a set of 73-87 chevy fullsize blazer 6 inch front springs on the front of my explorer any ideas or tips when i do this thanks.