Noob rear end question

[Boudroux]

I found a decent low mileage 1997 Explorer rear end. It is an open in the wrong gear ratio as my existing setup.

It seems everywhere wants $350+ for this axle in 4.10 gearing NON LS. I can pick this axle up i just found, buy new ring and pinion gears and a master install/rebuild kit for less than what the local yards are asking.

My question is to change the gearing to 4.10 are there other internal's of this that I'm not considering that might make it cheaper to just buy a 4.10 instead of regearing this cheaper one without out factoring in install labor.

Is the ring and pinion and install kit the only thing necessary to change the ratio I guess is what I'm driving at.

It will soon be getting a Aussie locker either route I choose if it makes a difference but odds are I'm going to be driving the new axle for a couple weeks without the locker.

 

[GrimmJeeper]

disc brake 8.8s are nothing special at the junkyard IMO i would wait till half price day and pick up a complete rear end for 150 bucks and think about gearing from there. :dunno:

 

[travisk]

I don't know how many Ford made, but I looked at about 30 Explorers in two junkyards and found two with 4.10 gears, one of them without LS. If you keep looking, you'll find one but you'll still be paying $250-$300 at most junkyards unless you go on a half price day like Grimm suggested.

 

[Boudroux]

I pulled one today for $100 and need to get on ordering the parts to regear. After two weeks of looking I couldn't find one with 4.10 gearing for under $350 so I think I'm off to a good start.

It looks like I should be able to get good ring and pinion gears for around $200 and ratech has a install/rebuild kit including wheel bearings and seals for $100 or so.

A lunchbox locker, a few hours of youtube, a buddy to loan me the correct inch pound wrench, a shit pot of beer, lots of cussing and I should have this done. Easy peasy.

I got a snap on inch pound click torque wrench years ago in a package deal and still haven't found a use for it.

 

[Xtreme XJ]

I feel gear set up is better left to those with experience... Just me... Just the way I feel, wiccan voodoo ... I paid WAY too much 16 years ago and I'm happy I did... mine are still in great shape(did I just jinx myself...)
I've read dozens of stories of those who tried and failed... not immediately either weeks later they were crying the blues... which equated to more $$$ and down time... unanticipated down time.
I've also seen the horror stories in friends shops...
For some it makes sense to them... comes naturally... some are very adept at learning this type of wrenching... some even get lucky... I'm none of that.

Add some $ for the misc. things, lube... RTV... new pads... hammers to throw... J.K. ! :laugh:
How about spacers ? Aren't there some required to make the Exploder 8.8 match the XJ width ?
Grimm... someone... anything needed to mate E-brake cables, driveline mod ?

Good luck...
Curt

 

[mako my day]

Go for it. It can't be that hard.

 

[Boudroux]

Spacers and ebrake kit easily sourced. I've worked on a lot of crap but never a rear end. If I can't get the pattern and all that voodoo looking right I will get someone to do it right but I'm not skeered of trying. The worse that can happen is I get hammered a few nights in a row trying before I get back to drinking for no reason.

 

[RWKHausSupply]

for 225 you can put up from me a new in box set of 4.10 gears and a full master install kit.

FYI, if a posi carrier now, then a insert locker is much more difficult to find. open carrier insert lockers are extremely common though.

As for set up. The ford is at least a bit easier then a D44 in that the Carrier shims are outboard the carrier bearings.

 

[RWKHausSupply]

Oh and for $415 you can really bling it out and not need spacers.
http://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/Produ...duct=YA_WF88-31-KIT&Brand=Yukon_Gear_and_Axle

 

[Boudroux]

Oh and for $415 you can really bling it out and not need spacers.
http://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/Produ...duct=YA_WF88-31-KIT&Brand=Yukon_Gear_and_Axle

You are on my short list of calls once I figure out all the stuff I'm going to order. I'm sure you can get your hands on the perches, flange adapter and all that jazz as well. I should have my full list done tonight. To avoid divorce court I'm going to run spacers for a bit but the axle upgrade will be coming in a few months once my wife gets over this hit.

Going to be fun:


axle by Brian_D_H, on Flickr

 

[mikedashg]

FWIW, just wait for a deal day and pull one. Ecology in San Diego has half price days every now and then.

Lots of vendors have the adapters and jazz. I went with MORE, but that was like over 10 years ago: http://www.mountainoffroad.com/_e/dept/57/Ford_8_8_Axle_Swap.htm

Oh, another pro-tip, there are TWO sizes of Ford flange adapters. One is smaller then the other.