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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
Now I'm trying to figure out this driveshaft stuff. I cant find the driveshaft specs on the ford CD. (which by the way works great) Does anyone know where I can get that info?
Well, the new angle imposed by the lower differential can wear out the CV joint. Superlift offers a replacement double cardian (sp?) driveshaft to cope with the angle. The stock shaft supposedly wont last long. To make things more complicated, the V8 models have a different transmission and transfer case which supposedly makes the driveshaft different. I cant seem to find a source for the info on driveshaft lengths.
I measured my driveshaft, and it is about 30" long from center of u joint to transfer case. I may see if I can get that super lift driveshaft after all.
I double checked the super lift application guide, and they make no differentiation between AWD and 4WD (EDIT: For that matter V8 vs. V6). Nor does the ford CD say anything pertaining to different drive shafts.
Well, I finally found some F150 springs for $20 each. I had to remove them myself, but I work for myself fairly cheap. They came from a 80's model short bed 2wd that didnt appear to have been used for towing or hauling. I'm going to clean them up and build me a leaf pack.
a driveline shop should be able to extend your front driveshaft for equal or cheaper than the superlift one. you can also get them to change the driveshaft to a u-joint connector on the transfercase instead of the stock connection.
Excellent progress on this kit! Good news with the knuckles as well.
As for the drive shaft. When I installed the Explorer V8 engine/trans/transfer in my 1999 Ranger, I had to use the Explorer V8 drive shaft as it was a few inches longer than the ranger V6 shaft. The 4R70W transmission is a little longer than the 5R55E I believe, which pushed the transfer case back.
I would also go to a driveshaft shop before I threw down the cash for a superlift shaft.
Well, I can get the superlift shaft for $100 with the exchange of mine. I don't think any driveline shop will convert my stock shaft for that. But I guess that all depends on if the stock driveshaft is the correct length for the ranger. How do I find out for certain???
Well, I tried to make a login on the superlift forum to ask a question about driveshafts, but something is wrong with their forum, I cannot create an account. Does anyone on here have an account that can ask that question?
As for the drive shaft. When I installed the Explorer V8 engine/trans/transfer in my 1999 Ranger, I had to use the Explorer V8 drive shaft as it was a few inches longer than the ranger V6 shaft. The 4R70W transmission is a little longer than the 5R55E I believe, which pushed the transfer case back.
That makes sense to me, but I measured my driveshaft and compared that measurement to ExplorerDMB's custom shaft, and they are about the same length. Im really confused on this driveshaft stuff. If I can get the superlift shaft for $100, I'd like to get it. But, if it wont work then what? Custom shaft?
I called Superlift today. I talked to a very nice guy without any automated system. He said they had never had a request for a lift/driveshaft for a V8 Mountaineer/Explorer. His application guide didn't make any distinction between V8 and V6. He did go measure a driveshaft they had in parts. It was 29 5/8 from end to end. My stock driveshaft is 29.5 or 30". Since the Superlift driveshaft is designed to be longer than stock, Id say that the V6 shaft is shorter. I still think the superlift model will work on mine since it has a slip connection to allow for more length.
That information being known, I thought I may buy a driveshaft for a V6 to send to the guy. I called one salvage yard where I got my wheels from and his system did not say anything about different driveshafts for V8 or V6. He didnt have a driveshaft to measure or sell. I stopped by another Salvage yard on the way home. Their computer showed different shafts for a V8 than a V6, but he did not have either in stock. I need a V6 driveshaft to send to the guy that has the lift and driveshaft since he is putting his truck back stock.
Does anyone know where I can get a stock shaft cheap?
Is anyone even reading this?
I was looking at the posts on this thread, and they are mostly mine.
I hate relying on the junkyard computer system since they aren't aware of things that are the same on both models (Explorer, Mountaineer). I like to go look myself.
I hate relying on the junkyard computer system since they aren't aware of things that are the same on both models (Explorer, Mountaineer). I like to go look myself.
I found an EF vendor that had a driveshaft at the right price. He has allready shipped it and sent me a tracking number. His name is Karl and his user name on here is kbabiak. If you need anything in salvage parts, PM this guy!
Yesterday I cleaned and painted my F150 leaves. I re used all of the teflon pads as they were all in good shape. I was able to re use all of the center pin bolts as well. Have to love southern vehicles. I put them in today, replacing my stock springs with the exception of the #1 spring. I removed my shackles and I am sitting at about the same height as I was with stock springs and shackles. When I get the front lift on, I will swap the shackles back in to level it out. The ride is a little stiffer, but less body roll. I may have to extend my brake lines and disconnect my factory traction bar to put the shackles on. Say bar extensions are a must also.
Does anyone know a way to extend a brake line inexpensively?
I emailed the guy that has the lift and he said he was going to take it off early next week. I should have it before next weekend. However I have to go out of town, so I cant install the lift untill the 19th or 20th. If I get back early enough Sunday, I may get started them. Im shooting to have this all wrapped up by the end of the month.
the bracket up top on the frame has a hard line on the top of it and a flexible one on the bottom of it.....i cant move it if it has a hard line on top can i??
Thanks. Ill see if I can find a bracket to modify. I dont think I would really have a problem untill I got the rear drivers side at full extension, but brake lines are nothing to take shortcuts on.
I just crawled under mine and there is a hard line that 90's off the frame to a crossmember, then 90's again to a bracket sticking back off of the crossmember. Then a flex hose attaches to it. I think I am going to try to add a piece of hose in there. Or maybe a universal brake hose that is longer. Im going to check out what AutoZone has in the store.
Brake line extended. I bought a 12" hard line that was bendable from auto zone with a butt connector. I connected the hard line to the factory line on the frame, and attched the flex hose. They loaned me a tube bender to use as well. I flushed and bled my brakes so I am in business.
I'm going to keep looking though.
