Swapping a Mustang differential in my 8.8

[Rockey]

I just did a little research and found that I have the 45 rear end. Open 3.55's right? Id like to put a mustang ls diff in with 3.90's or 4.10's. I ve done gear swaps and rebuild many times on my 90 5.0 GT 8.8 that I drag raced a lot. My questions are 1 - Is it a straight forward swap just like in a mustang only with different length axles? 2 - Do I need to change any gearing for the front end so the 4 wd has the same gearing? Thanks in advance.

 

[Texplorer]

Gearing has to be the same front and back.

 

[jimbo74]

the diff is the same... just make sure the traction adding device (if used) has 31 spline axle count to mate to your axle..... also, you need to do the front as well, or else you wont have 4x4 anymore... 3.90s arent available for your front axle.....

 

[Rockey]

How hard is it to swap the gears in the front? Is it possible to do just the rear gears one weekend and then drive the vehicle during the week and do the front end the next weekend as long as I stay out of 4wd?

 

[jimbo74]

yup, you can do the rears and then do the fronts later... just no 4x4 while they are still different...... not too sure about how to do the fronts on the torsion bar equiped trucks......

 

[Doug]

Good luck regearing the front axle on a 2nd gen. I looked into doing it myself and according to the ford's dvd manual you have to actually spread open the case to change the gears.

 

[SteveVB]

Mustang wont work.

Originally posted by Namitey
Good luck regearing the front axle on a 2nd gen. I looked into doing it myself and according to the ford's dvd manual you have to actually spread open the case to change the gears.

I pulled the gears on my 35 pumpkin and I didnt need the spreader to get them out or to put them back in. I used a few pry bars and long screwdrivers and levered it out - did a similar operation to get it in- it is tight, and I did it during the summer so it was hot which may have helped.


AS far as the original question-
The Mustang L/S diff wont work - the mustangs were all 28 spline as far as I know, the explorers are all 31 spline. The diff will fit in the axle, but the axles wont fit into the diff.

Merry Christmas

 

[Robb]

Yes, SteveVB is correct. The Mustang diffs use 28 spline axles while the Xs use 31 spline axles.

Robb

 

[Doug]

Re: Mustang wont work.

Originally posted by SteveVB
I pulled the gears on my 35 pumpkin and I didnt need the spreader to get them out or to put them back in. I used a few pry bars and long screwdrivers and levered it out - did a similar operation to get it in- it is tight, and I did it during the summer so it was hot which may have helped.

Did you do this on a first generaton or 2nd generation explorer?