rear end swap

clevor347 · Post by **clevor347** » May 30, 2008, 11:07 pm

i read somewhere that a 97-01 explorer rear end with disc brakes would fit under my truck if i remounted the shock mounts? anybody done this?

akfordman · Post by **akfordman** » May 31, 2008, 1:27 am

Don't know for sure about the width of 8.8 on the explorer. I thick it narrower than a 9 ''. But , the disc brake set are suppose to be a bolt up deal on a9''.

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » May 31, 2008, 9:29 am

I have looked at a few Exploders in parking lots , eyeing this up as a possibility. I would think that you'd have to move the spring mount locations too, but it could be a good option. 8.8's can be built to be quite strong too, lotsa mustang guys using them. The parking brake hookup is gonna require some head scratching, I would think.

65TremecGT · Post by **65TremecGT** » May 31, 2008, 10:45 am

The 95 explorer axle I swapped into my old ranger had an offset dif, so I dont think it will work in our trucks, but somewhere on here its been said that the brakes out will bolt up to our axles.

bluebolt · Post by **bluebolt** » May 31, 2008, 5:18 pm

An explorer rear axle has the car lug pattern, 4.5" x 5 lug. I doubt if you can redrill it to the larger 5.5 pattern. The Explorer disc brakes work on LATE 9 inch rears, not the "slick" rears. The housing end is different and again you would run into the wheel pattern issue.

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » May 31, 2008, 6:17 pm

I THINK IWOULD GO FOR AN AFTER MARKET DISC KIT CONVERSION BEFORE I WOULD SWAP REAR ENDS AND GIVE UP THE 9".

jecsd1 · Post by **jecsd1** » May 31, 2008, 6:42 pm

so what rear disc options are there for the slick 9 inch? and while I;m asking. what's the difference in all the 9 inch rear bearings? what makes one different from another?

blackagatha · Post by **blackagatha** » May 31, 2008, 7:55 pm

I was considering swapping the exploder brakes onto my 9" but was told that they WILL NOT work with the 5x5.5 axles. They could be re-drilled, but the axle head would be a big issue. Even if the head was not an issue, the drilled rotors would be a problem- what if you have to replace them and cant find somebody to drill em?!?!

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » May 31, 2008, 8:23 pm

Might look into this. I'm sure there are other kits out there as well.
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll ... 95~~~~~~~F

bluebolt · Post by **bluebolt** » June 1, 2008, 11:04 pm

jecsd1 wrote:so what rear disc options are there for the slick 9 inch? and while I;m asking. what's the difference in all the 9 inch rear bearings? what makes one different from another?

There are two bearing sizes and three flanges. Look here http://www.ssbrakes.com/pdf/axle_flanges.pdf

Small bearings usually came on 8" and 9" axles on small/midsize cars

Early big bearings usually came on pickups and big cars.

The late big bearing, also known as the "Torino" flange, came about around 1972 I think. This is the one the Explorer brakes are supposed to work with.

jecsd1 · Post by **jecsd1** » June 2, 2008, 4:05 am

great link! I always was better with pictures

Thanks

rear end swap

rear end swap

explorer rear ends

Explorer rear axle

flanges