Is this a good rear to swap with?

[Joker Z28]

I found a local deal for a 2000 Ford Explorer Sport rear end and driveshaft for $200.
Does anyone know what gears came with the car and how wide it is?
I want to swap into my Camaro and hoping if anything this rear end is longer then stock so I can cut down and not have to add to it.

[popo8]

I believe that is the 8.8 rear that some of us have been speaking of....


Its gonna take some work....

[Joker Z28]

From what I understand I pretty much just need custom axles, shorten the length, and weld on brackets for the springs and and torque arm.

[93v8clone]

and if your not at all fabrication savy doin all that will cost as much as a bolt in unit .yes it sounds easy but welding and whatnot to a rear isnt easy or somthing i would rec to someone who hasnt done such tasks before as u can wreck a rear and blow a lot of money esily

[Joker Z28]

One of my dad's friend has a welder and knows how to use it.
I can't remember the exact name of the welder but its suppose to a high end welder machine

[93v8clone]

there is way more than just WELDING a rear ,ya have to basically be a fabricator exact measurements making sure the diff dont bend under heat and cooling of welding and so on .im not sayin u or your friends are dopes just be carefull

[popo8]

I know there is a guy around here that builds 8.8" rears... he has a jig and all set up for it..... Im not saying you cant do it.... however its not easy bro.....

[Joker Z28]

I appreciate it, I am still looking for as much info as I can about making the 8.8 fit before we actually start, from this thread I just want to know if that rear would be a good "doner"

[93v8clone]

the diff is a good unit "although any diff is a upgrade from ours " but if your gonna try and fab a diff in do a 9 in or suttin

[popo8]

8.8s are great rears, esp for lowered vehicles because of where the out put is in comparison to the lower placement of the 9"

I know I saw a write up on it in here before.... maybe someone can help with giving you that link....

[2fast4u88]

The 2000 sports trac if 5 speed. Maybe even auto's have 31 spline axles,lsd and 4.10's. Auto's have the same setup but might have higher gears is all. I know one axle is shorter than the other. I just put one together for my buddy's 01 sports trac. His was 5speed though and had the 4.10's.

The 8.8 is a heck of a swap compared to a 9inch. They are lighter than a 12 bolt and 9inch. And as stong as 12 bolt. Most cut the axle tubes off or out of the 8.8 then pull the 10bolt tubes out. I believe you have to make collars since the 10bolt tubes are smaller round. Put the 10bolt tubes in the 8.8 and weld them up. You have to fab a tourqe arm mount which isn't to hard. Then just order axles.

I plan on running a 8.8 when my 10bolt breaks. I have links to the whole build/swap info.

[Joker Z28]

Can you post up links that you have for the swap?
I seen a few but more doesnt hurt.
The one I have pretty much cut the center pumpkin from the 8.8 and put onto the 10 bolt

[Joker Z28]

Is the Arc welder going to be ok to use for the rear end or would tig be better?

[2fast4u88]

Crap sorry I forgot to post them up. I will later today. Arc welder should be fine it you are good at it. I would rather use a mig though.

[96lt1m6]

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/gears-axles/1158209-8-8-build.html

[Joker Z28]

^So did you have to cut on the tubing on either side of the center pumpkin?

[Joker Z28]

BTW I went to pick it up yesterday it has 3.55 gears.
Can't wait to start on it, ima try to pick up a stock 10 bolt as well so we can start taking measurements ect. ect.

Anyone have the stock length of our 10 bolts?
And I have brand new KYB adjustable AGX rear shocks not yet installed, would they fit on the 8.8 or do I need ford shocks?

[BlackBird87]

The 8.8 is 2 inches shorter on each side. but ive been told that the axel tubes from a 10 bolt will slide into the 8.8 tubes. Im in the process of doing the exact same thing. What do you plan on doing for the torque arm or just go to a double ladder bar

[Joker Z28]

The 8.8 is 2 inches shorter on each side. but ive been told that the axel tubes from a 10 bolt will slide into the 8.8 tubes. Im in the process of doing the exact same thing. What do you plan on doing for the torque arm or just go to a double ladder bar

Ok I might try the tubing thing if the ARC welder can handle it.
Im not sure about the the TA or ladder bar yet, I might do the TA for now and go with ladder bar later on.

BTW did you get a stock 10 bolt for the brackets for the springs or you doing your own brackets?

[96lt1m6]

I am going to use the ladder bar set up initially however i will make the TQ arm mount also....reason being certain classes will not allow the bars and they are easy to disconnect..

[Joker Z28]

^that is a good point.

I also hear some talk about the center pinion and having to degree it at 0 degrees or somthing? what exactly is that all about? and how to go on about it?

[ksmyss]

The 8.8 is 2 inches shorter on each side. but ive been told that the axel tubes from a 10 bolt will slide into the 8.8 tubes. the width will depend on what 8.8 you have.

the 10 bolt tubes will NOT slide inside the 8.8 tubes. I know that for a fact. the 8.8 tubes are slightly larger but not enought to fit the 10 bolts inside. you will have to make a collar if you want to go this route.

[Joker Z28]

what exactly is this "collar" you speak of?

[JoeliusZ28]

what exactly is this "collar" you speak of?
the collar is for making the 10 bolt axle tubes mesh with the 8.8's, if you are using F-body spring mounts and brakes.

i will hopefully be building an 8.8" rear for my car this summer. If i do ill be sure to do a write-up on it, i dont know what all the specifics are yet, but here are some good pictures of the torque arm mount youll need (from a thread on ls1tech) :

http://www.norcal-ls1.com/multimedia/data/500/2716Picture_004.jpg
http://www.norcal-ls1.com/multimedia/data/500/2716Picture_003.jpg
http://www.norcal-ls1.com/multimedia/data/500/2716Picture_002.jpg
http://www.norcal-ls1.com/multimedia/data/500/2716Picture_001.jpg

[Joker Z28]

^Yea those are some pretty good pics of a rear end I havent seen those before.

I really want to have my 8.8 finished sometime in the next month or so.

[ksmyss]

what exactly is this "collar" you speak of?
its a piece of tube that is machined to fit the different sizes of the axle tubes. the axles are something like 1/4" different of maybe a little less, i can't remember off hand.

unless there are different sizes of axle tubes they won't slide inside each other. i measured 3 rear ends and all were the same size.

[ksmyss]

i also did the same sort of torque arm mount as the above pics. you have to grind the ear/tab off the side to get the mount were it needs to be. i also added more supports

[Joker Z28]

^so did you take the torque arm bracket off of a stock 10 bolt then weld it to the 8.8 pumpkin?

[ksmyss]

^so did you take the torque arm bracket off of a stock 10 bolt then weld it to the 8.8 pumpkin?
no i made one that looks sort of like the one on the pic above. some pipe and 1/4" plate.

[Joker Z28]

Can you make another torque arm bracket and then mail it to be so I can weld it on?
I would pay for expenses of course.

[ksmyss]

Can you make another torque arm bracket and then mail it to be so I can weld it on?
I would pay for expenses of course.
I would be more than happy to but my garage is torn apart while I wire it up for more outlets/lights and adding insulation. I haven't had time lately to continue on it so I have no way of knowing when I could get it done for you. Having to work 9-10 hr days and a wife who works 10+ 6 days a week and a little guy running around eats up all my time. Hince the car sitting for over 2 years now untouched.

[Joker Z28]

^its all good I understand.
Just send me your rear end haha

[cgp96z]

sum explorers have 7.5's in them not sure on the newer ones but the older ones the 4x4 explorers are posi with 3.73's

[Joker Z28]

Ok tomorrow night hopfully I am going to pick up a stock 10 bolt from a 95 TA.
Going to use the tubes from the rear and hopefully start fusing the 8.8 rear with it.
Pix are a must and any more advice as im going along is greatly appreciated.

[chevymec]

Subscribing to this !!

Check out www.maximummotorsports.com (http://www.maximummotorsports.com) . I know they make a torque arm setup for mustangs that bolt to the 8.8 . I installed one a few years back on a guy's car that did road racing.