skirkland1980 Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 I've started a 8.8"swap. Some may ne interested, others may hate me. Just documenting so others will know what's involved if they want to do a swap. First thing I did was go to the local junk yard and find a late 90s explorer. These are plentiful. So far I've seen 3.55, 3.73, and 4.11 ratios. The 4.11 appears to be the common ratio for 4x4s. Some also have clsd. All will have disk brakes. The explorer rear has a long axle tube on the right side and shorter tube on the left. You want to take out exactly 2.875" from the longer tube and use two right side axles. Here are some pics of what I've done so far. I will update as I go. First picture is the unshortened axle with brackets cut off. Second pic is after the first cut. Third pic is with the correct amount removed, beveled, tack welded, and axles in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted November 21, 2016 Author Share Posted November 21, 2016 Edit: longer tube is on the left, short on the right. Get an extra short axle. If you go to a do it yourself salvage yard you can swap axles before you pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 I'm gonna love you. What type of geometry do you plan for the rear suspension? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted November 27, 2016 Author Share Posted November 27, 2016 I'm going to use this jegs ladder bar kit. I got it on sale for $160 free shipping. The quality looks really good. From my experience with drag racing rear suspension tells me to make the lower bar parallel to the ground. I'm going to try to use the stock rear struts with a custom bracket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted November 27, 2016 Share Posted November 27, 2016 Following Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted November 27, 2016 Author Share Posted November 27, 2016 Cool. My buddy said he's coming tomorrow to do the welding then I'm going to remove the current rear from the car. Getting the rear end square in the chassis is going to be fun. Also I'm hoping that the new diff cover isn't going to hit the area where the old diff mount attaches. I have a solution just hoping I don't have to notch that crossmember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted December 1, 2016 Author Share Posted December 1, 2016 Welded the axle tube and picked up some jeep liberty wheels. They are 16x8" with 5" backspace. Hopefully will start removing old rear end from the car this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted August 22, 2017 Author Share Posted August 22, 2017 Finally making progress on this again. Fabbed my own crossmember instead of buying one. Cut out a section in the floor and welded it in. Welded brackets onto the rear axle. Made panhard bar brackets. This is a big job, wow. Everything is going smoothly though. Rear end seems to fit in the space provided there. Sorry this post is a little vague but I will answer any questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armorer Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 You'll want to lower that upper panhard bar mount until the bar is parallel to the axle at ride height Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted September 26, 2017 Author Share Posted September 26, 2017 Finally drove the car on sunday. Picked up a driveshaft from an explorer, shortened it and used a moog 290 u joint to install the chevy yoke. The rear calipers don't seem quite compatible with the stock master cylinder. Gonna need a bigger one. I plan on doing more test driving today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armorer Posted September 28, 2017 Share Posted September 28, 2017 How's the ride and first impressions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted September 28, 2017 Author Share Posted September 28, 2017 Finally drove the car on sunday. Picked up a driveshaft from an explorer, shortened it and used a moog 290 u joint to install the chevy yoke. The rear calipers don't seem quite compatible with the stock master cylinder. Gonna need a bigger one. I plan on doing more test driving today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted September 28, 2017 Author Share Posted September 28, 2017 No more clunking when turning, no more whining. 4.11 gear ratio feels more responsive. A lot more solid feeling since there's no more rubber bushings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 I guess I did something right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black S130 Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 (edited) How close is the diff at the trunk floor? Do you have any pictures of a side view showing ride height? Edited June 4, 2019 by Black S130 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted May 26, 2019 Author Share Posted May 26, 2019 Close. Had to hammer to make clearance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted May 26, 2019 Author Share Posted May 26, 2019 Close. Had to hammer to make clearance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black S130 Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 You are Da Man! mine is next...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black S130 Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 Another question.... How long are those ladderbars from axle center to front mount? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirkland1980 Posted May 27, 2019 Author Share Posted May 27, 2019 Check out the jegs website. They are jegs ladder bars. I wouldn't want to quote you wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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